Fake News and the Illusion of Truth: The Influence of Media on German Political Discourse in the Wake of COVID-19

ABSTRACT

This paper explores the phenomenon of fake news and conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany with special focus on the emergence of the Querdenker movement. Through a post-structuralist lens complemented by the work of Michel Foucault, the concept of truth will be analyzed to understand its role in society and democratic discourse as well as how the production of knowledge and truth has changed with emergence of the internet and social media. In this context it becomes apparent how fake news can be threatening to political discourse by undermining basic scientific information necessary for effective decision-making processes. Insights of this analysis will then be used to develop legal propositions to tackle the problem of fake news without interfering too much with the determination of truth and public discourse. © 2022, Onati International Institute for the Sociology of Law. All rights reserved.