Claudia Roth, Germany’s Minister of State for Culture and a member of the radical leftist Green party, recently voiced her concerns about the role of X (formerly Twitter) in undermining democracy.
Speaking to Table.Media on January 2, Roth argued that the platform must be “regulated” to protect democracy, highlighting the need for better safeguards for quality journalism. She emphasized her party’s push for stronger laws like the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, the European Media Freedom Act, and the Digital Services Act. Roth believes these laws, along with a regulatory role for the European Commission, will help ensure a democratic public sphere.
Franziska Brantner, Roth’s party leader, also voiced concerns, calling for an investigation into whether X’s algorithms manipulate public opinion, especially with respect to Elon Musk’s posts. Brantner questioned if Musk had rigged the system to prioritize his own content, asserting, “Even the richest man in the world must abide by our law,” and pushed for the European Commission to step in.
Tensions between Musk and German officials have been high, particularly after German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier criticized Musk’s influence on the election campaign, calling it foreign interference and a “threat to democracy.” Musk, who has publicly supported the anti-globalist Alternative for Germany Party (AfD), fired back, labeling Steinmeier an “anti-democratic tyrant.”
Roth responded to the spat, stressing that Steinmeier represents Germany and deserves respect. She warned that when economic power merges with media influence, it poses a grave threat to democracy. “When great economic power and power of opinion are combined, it is not good for a democracy,” she said. Roth also pointed out that journalism is distinct from using wealth and influence to manipulate public opinion, which is “extremely dangerous for democratic forms of society.”
