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More than 50 Twitter users can no longer follow the Federal Office of Public Health account. The authorities have silenced them, they accuse the blocked users of the office.
57 subscribers were blocked out of a total of 106,000: BAG director Anne Levy during a press point on the coronavirus in Bern.
Photo: Anthony Anex (Keystone)
Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) positions have never been more in demand since the outbreak of the Corona crisis. More than 100,000 users now follow BAG’s Twitter account, while the other departments have a few thousand followers. However, as reported by “20 Minuten”, several users no longer have access to the Twitter account of the health authority – they have been blocked by the BAG.
“I am absolutely shocked that a public health authority is allowed to block citizens during an international crisis”, says the user of the account “in what kind of world do we live”.
The user was blocked by BAG on Monday. The trigger was his reaction to a BAG post calling attention to his coronavirus check online. “Did you have a good weekend? Not the staff of the intensive care units, if you are interested,” the user replied, followed by a series of negative emojis. She alluded to the fact that BAG no longer publishes case numbers. weekends.
According to the user, BAG deleted her comment. Then he posted a new tweet. «Feel free to delete my post during your weekends off, I’ll keep posting! You’re disgusting. “Then it was blocked by the BAG.
“The authority cannot silence users”
The tweeter “Will B. Ryde-O’Myaz (Federal Council Account)” can no longer follow the BAG account. “My comments on the BAG and the crown ignorant flooding the comment column in BAG’s daily posts probably led to the lockdown,” says Ryde-O’Myaz.
He did not save the BAG with criticism, which in his eyes has only shown a total failure since March. He admitted that not all of his comments were factual and that emotions rose. “But what I do not believe is that a federal authority can silence users. That is not worthy of a federal authority in a democratic constitutional state. “
The blocked user named “Resurrection” is also outraged. “We have to defend freedom of expression in Switzerland. Critical voices should not be repressed ”, he demands. Apparently, he was blocked because he wanted to prove to the BAG on the basis of statistics that he had been below mortality for months despite the corona virus.
Other Twitter users share the outrage at BAG’s actions. “Incomprehensible. What’s next, dictatorship and censorship on Twitter?”, Writes one user. Another thinks: “Blocking people from obtaining public health information is unethical in a democracy.”
Violated social media rules
Daniel Dauwalder, a media spokesman for the Federal Department of the Interior, confirms that the FOPH has blocked 57 subscribers out of a total of 106,000 since March. When asked about the reasons, he refers to the social media rules of BAG. According to these, the BAG expects users to only disclose information that, to the best of their knowledge and belief, is true and correct. You promise to show respect. We remove or hide incomprehensible comments, advertising messages or false reports. “
BAG also declares that it will not accept personal criticism, rude or offensive comments or contributions that violate copyright law. This happens regardless of whether they are directed against a BAG employee or an Internet user. The BAG reserves the right to hide or remove irregular comments without prior notice. People who violate the rules can also be expelled without notice. However, according to Dauwalder, there is a possibility that users can request unlocking.
Policy reactions
Ida Glanzmann-Hunkeler, CVP National Councilor, supports the BAG’s action against critical positions. “With social media, we have an unprecedented communication mess in this crisis.” The authority’s Twitter channel must be informative for all citizens. “Therefore, it is legitimate for BAG to block users who express criticism.” Citizens would not be killed for that. “Anyone with a real concern can write an email or letter to FOPH at any time.”
Marcel Dobler, national councilor of the FDP and founder of the Corona-Dialog platform, understands the criticisms of Twitter users blocked by the BAG. “As a broad-spectrum public authority, the BAG must allow freedom of expression.” If criticism of the authorities is no longer allowed without the threat of being blocked, the abolition of freedom of expression is not far off. If BAG does not want to allow criticism, you must clearly communicate the reason for this on Twitter. “Twitter is not a one-way channel, but a channel for exchanging opinions.”
