Germany's Netzwerkdurchsetzungsgesetz (repeat that fast ten times), or Heiko Maas and his pet peeve Free Speech

The Terminator Heiko Maas.
 Ain't no fucking around.

The subject and the address of the German Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection requires to be of utmost political correctness. The reason being that the Ministry's address is Mohrenstrasse 37 in Berlin. Huh?

Well, a 'Mohr' is a negro in German language and here we have obviously a problem. Germans are known to solve problems, particularly linguistic ones, with ingenious ease.

It is assumed that at the beginning of the 20th century the chocolate manufacturer Sarotti had created a 'Mohr' as a trademark, because the company's headquarters was located in Mohrenstraße. The dignified, stereotypical Sarotti-Mohr was, according to public criticism 2004, renamed the 'Magician of the Senses' and received a golden skin color.

No idea how addressing a person with a black skin as Magician of the Senses would resonate with him or her but if it serves the purpose, I am all in.

Not yet the Magician of the Senses

Back to the subject German Social Media law – sharp criticism from leading legal expert

Professor Wolfgang Schulz, one of Europe’s preeminent legal experts, has prepared a short critique of Germany’s so-called “Act improving Law Enforcement on Social Networks”, also known under the abbreviation NetzDG.

Professor Schulz criticises the fact that the draft law covers a range of different types of offences, making it difficult to assess its necessity as a means of restricting freedom of speech. More damningly, he points to the key assumptions on which the law is based, arguing that they have been abandoned “for a long time”. Furthermore, he argues that “there are many effective ways of addressing fake news or hateful speech” that should be [implicitly, were not] taken into account to minimise potential negative effects on freedom of speech”.

Here is the Pdf 'Comments  on  the  Draft  for  an   Act  improving  Law  Enforcement  on  Social  Networks  (NetzDG)'.

The stipulated fine of up to € 50 million against companies is of course an empty threat. The whole "law" is one of those lukewarm farts Heiko Maas, dedicated follower of fashion, is known for and he is one of the most ridiculed ministers.

The "law", if it is implemented, is destined to be on a collision course with Germany's Constitutional Court and the ECHR. So lots of fun in store.

It may be coincidental, but the able and short Justice Minister is a triathlete which involves riding on a road bike. He may have some success in chaining free speech, cross chaining though he should avoid on his bike.

Fully morphed Magician of the Senses

Political correctness can be so sweet.