Denmark: "Facebook politics" under fire

Pointing out that fewer and fewer people read newspapers, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen informed the country of the planned measures to combat the Covid pandemic via Facebook. The Danish press sees this as an attempt to avoid uncomfortable questions.

Open/close all quotes
Der Nordschleswiger (DK) /

This is not how democracy works

The prime minister has violated the democratic rules of the game, criticises Der Nordschleswiger:

“A key element of democracy is that politicians answer critical questions, provide background information and explain the connections. Naturally, these things are not mutually exclusive. Mette Frederiksen can express her views on Facebook or other social platforms as much as she pleases - but not just there. And she can't wait two days to face criticism after making an important announcement via Facebook about school closures and other coronavirus measures. The rules of democracy apply here - and they apply for the prime minister even in times of crisis.”

Jyllands-Posten (DK) /

Enough self-promotion

Jyllands-Posten also takes the view that Frederiksen has been cavorting too much on social media:

“It would seem that for the current head of government, a critical press is not only irritating but unacceptable - intolerable even. Therefore the prime minister is consistently choosing to communicate via those channels we call social media. ... Here she bakes, there she sings Christmas carols and presents herself as 'Mette from next door'. ... We must stress the need for the free press to engage in critical journalism - even if the social democratic spin machine is doing everything it can to prevent it.”