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Kramp-Karrenbauer wants to limit expression of opinion by influencers
Actually, I try to keep the blog here relatively free of political topics, because otherwise you get bogged down with the content. But since influencers, streamers and YouTubers are now among my clients, I would like to briefly point out what I consider to be a barely comprehensible reaction on the part of CDU leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer.
This said on Monday (according to the HAZ), after various CDU committee meetings, that it must be classified as “clear opinion mongering before elections” if 70 newspaper editorials call before an election not to vote CDU or SPD. In response, he said, you have to consider “What are rules from analog and what rules apply to digital as well.”
Admittedly, the idea of the good woman should not be enforceable in the light of our Basic Law and Article 5. The fact alone that the CDU is so shocked by the election results that it is even considering such ideas should make people prick up their ears.
Of course, even with influencers and streamers, only freedom of expression is protected. Even now, spreading untrue facts can be punished in Germany and, in case of doubt, can also lead to claims for damages. The latter is sometimes the case with denunciatory videos, but also with prank videos(see this post).
Marian Härtel is a lawyer and entrepreneur specializing in copyright law, competition law and IT/IP law, with a focus on games, esports, media and blockchain.