[tchalla]

> Concrete examples - in Germany you are not allowed to insult politicians or the government in social media.

Germany restricts insulting individuals / your neighbour, police officer, a pastor or a minister. There’s no special law for politicians. Political criticism is protected under the Basic Law (constitution). Go ahead and be crucial about a politician’s actions but don’t insult their person’s honour or use a slur. That’s not your freedom of speech, that’s the dignity. In fact, you can even insult the government! You can say German government as the government is not a person.

[gpt5]

Free speech in America is specifically about protecting you against the government. Your neighbor is still not allowed to defame you.

[vharuck]

>Your neighbor is still not allowed to defame you.

Anyone can defame anyone else on the US. The only time the libel or slander laws apply is when the defamed person can prove real harm in court. Not harm to dignity, but monetary loss, personal loss, or physical injury. These are very high bars to clear.

If people could sue and win just for proving willful or negligent defamation of character, a lot of extremist influencers would be in the poor house.

[chopin]

There is a special law for politicians.