Overview
- On ZDF’s Markus Lanz, Schleswig-Holstein’s Daniel Günther said “Yes” when asked if regulation, censorship or even bans on media might be necessary, and he called portals like Nius enemies of democracy.
- Günther later argued his affirmation concerned a youth protection proposal to bar under‑16s from social media, posting that stance on Facebook after backlash.
- Right‑wing platform Nius circulated a context-stripping video that made the exchange appear as a call to ban Nius, which fueled an online outrage campaign.
- Senior conservatives rebuked any talk of censorship, with CSU leader Markus Söder and other Union figures urging debate rather than bans and warning against state control over media.
- Commentary across outlets cast the episode as a test of how to counter partisan disinformation without violating Germany’s constitutional press freedoms, with one FOCUS columnist even urging scrutiny by the domestic intelligence service.