The new German government coalition, which is likely to be the Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Social Democrats (SPD) is looking to ban “lies,” according to a working paper that emerged from the group “culture and media” between the two parties. Bild newspaper received a copy of the working paper, which outlines the goal of combating “fake” news on social media, including restrictions on it. The paper from the CDU and SPD indicates that “disinformation and fake news” threaten democracy. In fact, the paper argues that freedom of expression does not apply in such circumstances. Bild contacted a number of constitutional lawyers, and they are highly skeptical of the law. “Lies are only prohibited if they are punishable, for example in the case of sedition. Otherwise, you can lie,” said Volker Boehme-Neßler, a professor at the University of Oldenburg. Even determining a lie is a legal complexity. “It is not an easy question of what a factual claim and what an expression of opinion is. Most courts interpret freedom of expression very broadly,” he added. He also took aim at a specific part of the working paper, which addresses “hate and agitation.” He said, “‘hate and agitation’ — these are ‘no legal […]