In the kitchen of the German president, jars of spread are stacked up. Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, CEO of HateAid, puts one into a lunchbox and slides it to actress Esther Schweins, who adds a roll. World Cup winner Philipp Lahm contributes a polished apple. On this Saturday in April, the trio is staging a piece titled “The Bourgeoisie Doing Charitable Work” – about 50 boxes for the homeless are being assembled in the palace kitchen, accompanied by camera crews and photographers. The president needs these images as he tries to establish a day of honor for all volunteers. For von Hodenberg, this morning is a gift.
But the idyll is deceptive. HateAid, the organization that fights against online hate, has long since become a lightning rod in the political culture war. What was once seen as a model NGO is now vilified by parts of the political right as a “censorship industry.” The accusations: HateAid engages in censorship by suing users for hate comments and putting pressure on platforms. Von Hodenberg herself has become a target of personal attacks.
From flagship project to target
HateAid was founded in 2017 to provide legal and psychosocial support to victims of digital violence. For a long time, it was considered a flagship project of civil society, funded by federal ministries and supported by prominent figures. But as society has become more polarized, HateAid has come under fire from critics who accuse the organization of being politically biased and curtailing free speech.
“We won’t be intimidated,” von Hodenberg says in an interview with Die Zeit. The lawyer remains steadfast, even as the hostility increases. She points to the organization’s successes: thousands of lawsuits against hate posters, legislative changes such as the Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG), and growing public awareness. But the pressure from the right is mounting.
The culture war as an existential threat
The attacks on HateAid are part of a larger culture war raging in Germany and other Western countries. Organizations that advocate for diversity, anti-discrimination, or free speech online are increasingly being cast as enemies. For HateAid, this could become existential: its funding depends largely on government grants and donations – both of which could dwindle under political pressure.
“HateAid’s future depends on political developments,” von Hodenberg admits. The organization is engaged in intensive lobbying to push its concerns in the Bundestag and state parliaments. But the political mood is shifting: in several states, conservative politicians are calling for a review or cut of funding for HateAid. The NGO is fighting back –
Source: www.zeit.de
