General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Strafgesetzbuch Section 86a - Important reason why it exists. Time for the US to wake up. [View all]Oak2004
(2,152 posts)Not just Nazi symbols, but (actual) fake news (whether Russian sponsored or sponsored by a rich Australian asshole), the destructive subtext of all too many commercials, even nonpolitical commercials, etc.
Propaganda is something I've studied, and it is not an innocuous free exchange of ideas. It is not honest free speech, but manipulation. Unless you recognize it when it happens, and switch on your analytical mind and analyze it, it will slip past your rational mind, undetected, and it will affect you in some manner.
Outlawing all speech intended to persuade is inappropriate. But treating all speech (symbols included) as if it was the neutral exchange of ideas is also problematic, when so much speech does its level best to make sure that you do not think about its content. Part of the answer is to get back to the business of educating people about propaganda. But it is probably equally important to outlaw, or at least hold civilly liable for damages, hate propaganda and intentional deception.