An initiative on media literacy supported by the EU is currently under criticism. According to research, as part of the format "Classroom Combat Zone: Germany's Schools between Sharia and Indoctrination", the Klicksafe project conveys content to students in which the questioning of state institutions is classified as a characteristic of right-wing extremist attitudes. The programme received a total of 7.6 million euros in funding, which was provided in equal parts by the European Union and the Rhineland-Palatinate Media Authority. The aim of the initiative is to promote security in the digital space and to combat disinformation.

"Klicksafe" provides schools with so-called digital teaching units that can be used nationwide. Teachers receive accompanying materials for preparation and follow-up. A central workbook is entitled "Right. Extreme. Online. How to make young people strong against right-wing extremist influences on the Internet."

One section of this issue deals with the so-called "delegitimization of democratic institutions", especially the media. It explains how young people are supposed to recognize supposedly right-wing extremist codes, symbols and emojis in social networks. In an exercise, students analyze fictitious social media profiles using a checklist to identify possible indications of right-wing extremist attitudes.

According to the materials, a right-wing extremist attitude exists, among other things, when articles question the government, journalists are mistrusted, or the view is taken that one's own nation is superior to others. As an example, a social media post is cited that mocks former Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. In the solution section, he is classified as right-wing extremist because he criticizes state action.

A contribution with the poll results of parties and the note "Blue is trending!! is assessed in a similar way. Here, too, it is argued that the government is being called into question. In addition, a possible reference to the AfD is established, which is listed by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution as a suspected right-wing extremist case and is openly supported in certain online profiles.

Another report classified as problematic accuses the Tagesschau of a "perpetrator-victim reversal". The assessment by "Klicksafe" is that this removes trust in journalistic work and the press as a whole.

The teaching materials also contain an overview of emojis that are supposed to be considered potential indications of right-wing extremist attitudes. In addition to clearly extremist symbols such as SS runes or colors of the Reich flag, sheep emojis are also listed, which are understood as a symbol for so-called "sleeping sheep", as well as the clown emoji, which, according to the magazine, is often used for blanket criticism of politics and government.

materials explain the "delegitimization of democratic institutions" by the fact that terms such as "lying press", "state broadcasting" or "propaganda media" are deliberately used to undermine trust in established media. This is not about objective media criticism, but about a fundamental devaluation of journalistic work. At the same time, according to the magazine, alternative media operated by right-wing extremist or conspiracy ideological actors are presented as the only source of the alleged "truth".









Author: Redaktion
Source: Klicksafe / Niws.de