Online hate speech –how to fight it effectively

theme No.: 34c
responsible federal state: Federal Government
date: 30.10.2023 - 02.11.2023

The conference is aimed at judges in criminal matters and public prosecutors whose work deals with establishing criminal liability of content posted on social media and who have to decide on the legal consequences thereof.
Hate speech on social media is a problem which ought to be taken very seriously indeed. For many years, German law enforcement authorities and courts too have been dealing with this issue, as, in many cases, it transgresses the boundaries which make it liable for criminal prosecution. Another aspect is that perpetrators spreading hatred on social media are, frequently, not acting alone. There are often organised structures using deliberately targeted campaigns of intimidation, hatred and other tactics against political opponents, the media and institutions and others. They use social media to propagate their political and ideological messaging in an attempt to bring about political change by strategically polarising members of the public. This strategy involves abusing social media and exploiting its weaknesses.
The conference will look in detail at the phenomenon of hate speech and the criminal law implications of its online spread and then discuss and give actionable suggestions on how to fight it effectively and develop criminal prosecution against it.
The conference will also be advertised as part of the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN). It will be also be suited very well to the needs of participants from abroad.

 

back to overview