The Local Germany

How Germany's 'hate speech' law will put control of free speech in private hands

Fri, 09 Jun 2017 16:05:58 +0200

A proposed German law designed to heavily penalize social media firms for 'hate speech' will scare Facebook and other social media giants into suppressing content that is legal, argues Nick Wallace.

Legal opinion finds Erodgan 'smear poem' not criminal

Thu, 14 Apr 2016 19:27:05 +0200

There was good news for satirist Jan Böhmermann on Thursday, as broadcaster ZDF published a legal opinion claiming a "smear poem" he directed at Turkey's President was within the bounds of the law.

Germany can't legislate hate out of existence

Tue, 01 Dec 2015 13:43:11 +0100

Recent experience with movements like the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and Pegida have shown that German and other European countries have failed to end racism by act of parliament. The way Europe deals with hate speech needs to change, argues Tom Barfield.

Print Mein Kampf to fight neo-Nazi extremism

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:18:00 +0100

The proposed publication of Hitler's Mein Kampf in Germany has sparked outrage and worries it would give voice to neo-Nazis. But The Local’s Moises Mendoza argues it is time for the country to fight extremism by supporting free speech.