X logo.
Credit: Reuters Photo
By Iain Rogers
Germany’s independent antidiscrimination commissioner has urged the government to shut down its X accounts, saying the Elon Musk-owned social media platform has become “an instrument of political influence for the world’s richest man.”
As well as directing personal attacks against Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in recent weeks, Musk has repeatedly praised the far-right Alternative for Germany party, prompting accusations he’s trying to influence next month’s snap election.
Antidiscrimination Commissioner Ferda Ataman, who is nominated by the government and appointed by lawmakers, said her impression is that German officials are afraid to quit X as it will become “a political issue,” but argued that it’s “really necessary” as it’s “not a reputable platform.”
“If you consider the Constitution or our expectations for democracy, our expectations for non-discriminatory discourse, then you cannot actually continue to be present on this platform as a state body with a clear conscience,” Ataman was quoted as saying Wednesday by public broadcaster ARD.
The German government, which has numerous X accounts along with most of the country’s top politicians, has said it regularly reviews its social media strategy, while arguing that it needs to maintain a presence “where people are looking for information.”
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“We do not force anyone to become a customer on this platform,” Steffen Hebestreit, Scholz’s chief spokesman, said Monday at the regular government news conference when asked about Musk’s posts.
“But those who are there will then receive first-hand, reliable information from the federal government, and that’s what it’s all about,” he added.