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US government criticizes Germany: freedom of expression is in danger!
The US government criticizes Germany for censorship and restricted freedom of expression. The annual report on the human rights situation shows worrying developments.
US government criticizes Germany: freedom of expression is in danger!
In the land of unlimited possibilities, freedom of speech is also thought differently. ZDF today reports that the US government under President Donald Trump is criticizing Germany for increasing restrictions on freedom of expression. In the latest annual report from the US State Department, the human rights situation in Germany is specifically classified as worrying. Issues such as censorship and the rise in anti-Semitic violence are cited.
The focus is particularly on the restriction of freedom of expression on online platforms, which is seen in connection with an EU requirement to delete hate messages. The criticism also relates to German awareness of anti-Semitic attacks. It is noted that the German authorities are too focused on right-wing extremists, while the role of immigrant Muslims is trivialized in this context. Anton Vance, the US Vice President, also attested to European politics a reason for concern at the Munich Security Conference in February 2025.
A detailed look at the situation
The report highlights that several people were arrested or convicted last year for inciting racial hatred and Holocaust denial, but does not identify specific cases. What is alarming is that the number of anti-Semitic crimes in Germany more than doubled in the first nine months of 2024. This number particularly affects the debate about migrants. According to the reports, it is primarily those who have anti-Semitic beliefs that are seen as driving these developments.
Freedom of expression, which is firmly anchored in the German Basic Law, is under pressure. According to the website Statista Fewer and fewer people say they can express their opinions openly. A survey by the Allensbach opinion research institute shows alarming results: Only 40 percent of those surveyed feel able to express their political opinions freely - the lowest figure since the surveys began in 1953.
Criticism of the federal government
Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is trying to reject the US government's interference in German domestic politics. He is reacting to the allegations, which are also being extended to other European countries. The report identifies similar concerns in countries such as France and Great Britain, further underlining the debate about freedom of expression and censorship within Europe.
The discussion about the balance between protection against hatred and preserving freedom of expression is becoming increasingly complex. Since 2021, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution has had a new section called “Delegitimization of the State”, which offers a lot of room for interpretation and therefore does not exactly help to calm things down. And upcoming legislation, such as the Digital Services Act, which comes into effect in 2024, will add fuel to the question of whether excessive deletion of content could occur.
The situation regarding freedom of expression in Germany remains tense. In view of the increasing numbers and the diverse challenges, it is clear that even in one of the countries with the best conditions, freedom of speech and the security of citizens are at stake. The debate about how this should be dealt with will naturally continue to be controversial in the future.