Hate and Extremism on Messaging Service X

The messaging service X (formerly Twitter) has recently come under scrutiny for its role in facilitating hate speech and extremist content. Various individuals and groups, including convicted rapists, declared misogynists, as well as right-wing extremists from both the United States and Germany, have been using the platform to disseminate their hateful messages. Surprisingly, even government agencies and the police have been found to be active users of this platform. While extremists aim to spread their toxic messages to as many people as possible, government officials justify their presence on X by arguing that they need to reach out to the public where they are. However, it is worth questioning whether this justification truly holds up, especially considering that the vast majority of the population, particularly in Germany, do not actively use this platform. Additionally, if news outlets and broadcasters did not quote these Twitter messages from politicians and civil servants, only a limited number of users would actually come across them. In a country where the quality of debates often hinges on who says what, it is surprising to see both the government and the opposition willingly descend into the depths of a news cesspool in order to generate clicks. It raises the question of whether this strategy is truly necessary, or if there are alternative means of communication that could be explored. Overall, the use of X as a platform for spreading hate and extremism raises serious concerns about the effectiveness and necessity of its use by government entities. As the public becomes increasingly aware of the negative impact of such messaging services, it is important for authorities to reassess their communication strategies and consider more responsible alternatives.