Freedom of Speech

This video has been bothering me and I was not sure where to post it so I opened a new thread.  It's from a recent 60 minutes show where they talk about the crack down on internet speech in Germany.  They show teams of police invading ordinary people's homes at all hours to arrest them for insulting people on the internet.  The people pay big fines, have their electronic devices confiscated and even face jail time.  Just for calling someone stupid on the internet. 

Seriously, if we lived in Germany everyone on the MOL politics threads would be rounded up and put into a cell (which would probably make a good sitcom, but I digress).  The American narrator does not seem that alarmed by this discussion about "online violence."  She nods along and does not give enough push back for my view.

I follow politics in Germany some and have been wondering why I don't see more Germans calling Olaf Schultz an idiot on X.  Now I have an idea why.  They don't have freedom of speech in Germany (and from what I have heard other EU countries are the same).  Ursula Van DerLyon has made a big push for "pre-debunking" and seems to be a cheerleader for any kind of censorship.

In discussions about Democrats I have seen a few people comment that there is no problem with freedom of speech being compromised, except by Republicans.  But, I have to think that this kind of crackdown was being considered as a model for more places around the world, including the US.  The Biden administration sure had programs aimed at curtailing free speech on the internet (mostly by banning users and specific stories).  Post-Biden, we are still seeing some of that for specific topics.  

So, I'm wondering what people think about this.  I would prefer to at least first hear people's reactions to this video, and not just a launch into how "Twitter never censored anyone. . ." which we have already beat to death (and will again, but hopefully not today). 

this is your "freedom of speech" concern?

are you serious?

What's the worst that could happen?

Myanmar: Facebook’s systems promoted violence against Rohingya; Meta owes reparations – new report - Amnesty International

drummerboy said:

this is your "freedom of speech" concern?

are you serious?

Did you listen to the video?  You have no problem with what Germany is doing?  

nohero said:

What's the worst that could happen?

Myanmar: Facebook’s systems promoted violence against Rohingya; Meta owes reparations – new report - Amnesty International

So, you approve of what they are doing in Germany?

Germany has decided that past experience suggests an approach to hate speech that is different from that in the United States. From 2021: Germany’s Laws on Antisemitic Hate Speech and Holocaust Denial

[Edited to add] For those who want to read instead of watch a video - https://www.cbsnews.com/news/policing-speech-online-germany-60-minutes-transcript/

nohero said:

Germany has decided that past experience suggests an approach to hate speech that is different from that in the United States. From 2021: Germany’s Laws on Antisemitic Hate Speech and Holocaust Denial

Yes, but the first part of fascism  is shutting down free speech.   The people of Germany once again have no free speech. 

nan said:

drummerboy said:

this is your "freedom of speech" concern?

are you serious?

Did you listen to the video?  You have no problem with what Germany is doing?  

with what's happening right here I have zero time to worry about Germany.

I honestly couldn't care less.

I mean, are you **** kidding me?

Germany?

What's happening right now, right here, is 10 times worse than your precious twitter files,

Do you not see that?

WTF is wrong with you?