In a move that might leave George Orwell himself astonished, CBS’s “60 Minutes” recently showcased a segment that might as well have been an infomercial for tyranny, applauding Germany’s latest assault on free speech under the guise of maintaining civility. As the program gleefully highlighted Germany’s zealous policing of the internet, it was clear that what many Americans cherish as a fundamental right is under fire in Europe.
The segment featured a ride-along with German police—six armed officers, no less—as they stormed a suspect’s home for the grave crime of making what the state deems offensive statements online. The chilling footage of officers seizing a citizen’s electronics should horrify anyone who holds dear the values of free expression.
Sharyn Alfonsi, the CBS reporter, contrasted this draconian approach with America’s robust free speech protections, suggesting that the U.S. allows “hate-filled or toxic” speech to flourish unchecked. However, what CBS fails to grasp is that the freedom to speak one’s mind, even if the speech is unpopular or offensive, is the bedrock of a free society.
In interviews with German prosecutors, who appeared baffled that citizens were shocked to learn that their words could land them in legal trouble, it was evident how deep the roots of censorship have grown. One prosecutor explained that penalties are harsher for online insults because “it stays there.” This rationale—that digital speech is somehow more dangerous—reveals a disturbing intent to control and sanitize discourse permanently, stifling debate and discussion, which are essential to a dynamic society.
CBS’s report ominously noted that Germany employs 16 units dedicated to monitoring hate speech, with one office handling some 3,500 cases a year. This is not just an overreach; it’s a warning signal of a surveillance state keen on regulating thought and speech.
The segment aired just days after Vice President JD Vance lambasted European allies at the Munich Security Conference for their “Soviet”-style censorship tactics. Vance’s critique was spot-on. As Europe slides down this slippery slope, it risks transforming into a society where free speech is a relic of the past, and all forms of expression are under the watchful eye of an overbearing state.
Here in the U.S., we must resist any temptation to follow this path. The sanctity of our First Amendment must be defended, not diluted. As Trump’s administration has shown time and again, America will stand firm against the tide of global censorship and continue to champion the rights that make us a beacon of freedom to the world. As Germany tightens its grip on its citizens’ voices, let us hold even tighter to our liberties. In the battle against authoritarian overreach, complacency is not an option.
