The German government has launched a new initiative to combat what it calls “conspiracy thinking.” The “Beratungskompass Verschwörungsdenken” (Conspiracy Thinking Compass) is a hotline and online service that aims to provide guidance to individuals who are concerned about conspiracy theories.
The service is operated by the Ministry of the Interior, in collaboration with several non-governmental organizations, including the Violence Prevention Network, the Amadeu Antonio Foundation and the Modus Center for Deradicalization Research.
According to the government, conspiracy thinking can lead to a range of negative consequences, including the erosion of trust in institutions, the spread of misinformation and the isolation of individuals from their communities.
Critics of the initiative argue that it is an attempt to stifle legitimate criticism of government policies and to punish individuals who have raised questions about the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other issues.
The government has allocated significant funding to the initiative, with the Amadeu Antonio Foundation receiving over 6 million euros in 2023 alone. The foundation has a history of producing materials that aim to educate the public about the dangers of right-wing extremism, including a 2019 brochure that provided guidelines for educators on how to recognize and counter right-wing extremism in kindergarten and school settings.
The government’s new initiative has been met with skepticism by some, who argue that it is an attempt to silence dissenting voices and to punish individuals who have raised legitimate concerns about government policies. Others have raised concerns about the potential for the initiative to be used to stifle free speech and to target individuals who are critical of the government.