Online discourse will be a topic at the mayors' meeting
County Commissioner Thomas Will believes the tone of discourse on social media is becoming an increasing problem. Insults and personal attacks against mayors are on the rise and are increasingly crossing the line of reasonable debate. Therefore, Will intends to put the issue on the agenda of the next mayors' meeting after the summer break.
The background to this is the difficult financial situation of many municipalities. Due to rising costs and, from the district's perspective, insufficient funding from the federal and state governments, cities and towns are forced to raise fees, taxes, and levies. This is causing criticism from the public in many places.
Criticism yes – personal attacks no
While protests, petitions or public discussions are, in the district administrator's view, part of a vibrant democracy, he is increasingly observing personal attacks against local officials on the internet.
Will cites as an example articles about the property tax increase in Riedstadt, in which Mayor Marcus Kretschmann was described with derogatory terms. He argues that this crosses the line between objective criticism and personal denigration.
A call for more respect
According to the district administrator, a persistently harsh tone in public discourse jeopardizes democratic cohesion. If personal attacks and inappropriate comments go unchallenged, this strengthens anti-democratic forces.
Thomas Will therefore calls for respectful interaction. Problems can only be solved together and through objective dialogue.
(DISTRICT OF GROSS-GERAU – RED/PSKGG)
