Voice of the Nation: German Public Urges politicians to Act Against Online Hostility and Hateful Speech
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Majority of Germans are advocating for immediate political intervention - hostile online environment: most Germans urge politicians to intervene
Intimidation, verbal abuse, and threats: Almost three-quarters of individuals in Germany have encountered such online hostility. These unsettling findings stem from a survey conducted by Forsa on behalf of RTL, timed to coincide with the International Day for Combating Hate Speech, which falls on June 18th.
Action Day Against Online Hatred and Hateful Speech on June 18
According to the survey, 71% of respondents have experienced hostile, derogatory, or confrontational remarks on the internet at some point. Interestingly, younger individuals and those who are highly active on social media platforms are more likely to have encountered such occurrences.
However, only 16% have personally been victims of online aggression. The overwhelming majority (84%) shares that they have not experienced any form of hateful speech online. Intriguingly, younger demographics and those who are heavy social media users are more likely to have been affected.
Indisputably, a strong majority (70%) of those surveyed believe that politics is not doing enough to combat online hate and call for more action. This sentiment is shared even among supporters of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party, with 55% expressing similar sentiments. Nevertheless, only 14% believe that efforts to combat online hate restrict freedom of expression. A staggering 83% disagree with this notion.
The United Nations officially recognized June 18 as the International Day for Combating Hate Speech in 2021. This year, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasizes the potential dangers of spreading hateful discourse through artificial intelligence and biased algorithms. He advocates for countering toxic narratives with positivity and empowering individuals to recognize, reject, and defend against hate.
RTL Germany takes a stand against online hate with the initiative "Together. Combating Hate and Hateful Speech." Throughout the week, the channel will delve into the impacts of a negative online culture, offers advice to those affected, and provides insights into the psychological effects of cyberbullying, the available help, and legal options. Moreover, the Ministry of Digital will present its plans.
Notable: The polling institute Forsa surveyed 1,002 individuals on behalf of RTL Germany between June 10th and 12th, 2025. The survey is representative, with a statistical error tolerance of +/- 3 percentage points.
Sources: Forsa, United Nations
Keywords: Hate, Hate Speech, Forsa, Polling Institute
Insight:
Recent political initiatives in Germany to counter online hate speech involve strict laws, international regulations, proactive platform moderation, and public campaigns. While stricter laws have triggered debates over free speech, public campaigns and expert discussions seek to find balanced, effective solutions to combat online hate speech.
- The majority of those surveyed by Forsa, 70%, believe that politics, specifically employment policies and community policy, should take more action against online hate and hostile speech.
- In the General-news, UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the potential dangers of spreading hateful discourse through politics, emphasizing the need to counter toxic narratives with positivity and empower individuals to recognize, reject, and defend against hate.
