Prevent manipulation - Mehring wants to expand campaign against fake news
Digital Minister Fabian Mehring will continue and expand the Anti-Disinformation campaign of the government. "Foreign and domestic enemies of our democracy use every opportunity to misuse the internet as a medium for manipulations," explained the Free Voter politician.
The Interior and Digital Ministry had raised the Alliance against Disinformation in April, supported by several tech companies, among them Google, Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook's parent company), and Siemens. Mehring now intends to prepare a "comprehensive measures and actions concept" in the run-up to the Bundestag election in the fall of 2025 and the communal elections in the spring of 2026.
Apart from the government and other companies, Mehring also wants to win over media, civil society organizations, and politics. Mehring did not provide further details on Sunday. However, the Alliance is intended to work beyond Bavaria and serve as a model for other states.
Fabian Mehring, as the Digital Minister, recognizes the role of the Internet in manipulations against democracy, echoing his stance as a Free Voter politician in Bavaria. He aims to expand the Anti-Disinformation campaign initiated by the government, involving tech giants like Google and Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook's parent company), as well as Siemens. Mehring intends to create a comprehensive plan before the 2025 Bundestag election and 2026 communal elections, seeking the support of media, civil society organizations, and politics. His vision extends beyond Bavaria, aiming to make the Alliance against Disinformation a model for other state governments. During a Munich campaign, Mehring emphasized the necessity of combating online misinformation to protect democracy.
