February 10, 2023, 2:05 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
ZDF is currently working and researching on a major project. The goal: to create a public broadcasting alternative to the major American social media platforms, especially Twitter.
Twitter has been a hot topic, especially recently—primarily due to the acquisition by Elon Musk. This has highlighted how much these platforms depend on private interests. Musk has changed many regulations at Twitter almost overnight, laid off employees, and reshaped the platform according to his vision. Such large networks require appropriate moderation and are repeatedly confronted with misinformation and hate speech, which must be addressed professionally. Therefore, ZDF is now apparently working with other renowned partners on a public broadcasting alternative to Twitter and others. What’s behind this?
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ZDF is part of the “Public Spaces Incubator” project
Just recently, ARD chief Gniffke announced plans to adapt and expand the group’s digital program. Now, ZDF is moving in a similar but slightly different direction. Together with public broadcasters from Switzerland (SRG SSR), Canada (CBC), and Belgium (RTBF), they are working on the research project “Public Spaces Incubator.”
Behind the somewhat cumbersome name lies a big idea. Together, they aim to “develop online-based solutions to enable civic engagement and democratic discourse in the digital space, free from hate comments and increasing disinformation.” Ideally, they want to create a platform for open discourse that exists independently of private interests and offers an alternative to the predominantly U.S. media.
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ZDF’s Twitter alternative against online hate
The ambitious project is being undertaken by the broadcasters in collaboration with the nonprofit organization New_ Public, which specializes in digital communication. ZDF Director Norbert Himmler says:
Democracy thrives on open and fair dialogue in society. We must not leave this to the large American platforms. The ‘Public Spaces Incubator’ project aims to show how public broadcasting can build independent and fact-based communication spaces in the digital world. Our common goal is to counter the increase of hate, violence, propaganda, and defamation in social media with a public broadcasting alternative.
Norbert Himmler, ZDF Press Portal
Initially, it seems to be about determining what is possible and sensible in this area. It is explicitly not about commercial and marketing aspects. Therefore, the exact form of ZDF’s Twitter alternative is not yet determined.