If public outrage is great enough, in most cases you can assume that politicians will respond with a new law – this is intended to show: “We are doing something!” It would be better to decide on laws based on rationality rather than emotion. Unfortunately, this doesn’t score any cheap activism points.
It was a bet that couldn’t be lost that some kind of law would come after the Teichtmeister case. The fact that a consumer of child pornography does not have to go to prison has rightly made Austrians shake their heads. So politicians had to respond. Especially if there are elections soon!
The government currently needs every credit point
So what do you do when you have the power in your hands and the majority of Austrians reject the verdict? Correct! There must be a law. After all, these are easy-to-collect credits that signal activity. And the government parties can only use every good point at the moment…
Novella “suddenly” withdrew after Teichtmeister’s statement
For example, the amendment to tighten sexual criminal law remained unnoticed in a drawer at the Ministry of Justice for the past four months, before it was dug up again after the controversial Teichtmeister ruling. Negotiations now got underway quickly. Apparently children deserve more protection now than a few months ago.
Bizarre: Sex yes, sexting no
The crux of the matter is that important detailed questions are not fully thought through in the haste. According to the latest draft, the tightening of the law stipulates that young people who send nude photos to each other will also be criminalized. People over the age of 14 could then go to jail for consensual ‘sexting’, even though they are legally allowed to have sex with each other! This is not only bizarre, but it also does not help in the fight against child pornography! The Minister of Justice may have also recognized this after criticism. The point still needs to be removed.
Cool heads instead of populism!
Yes, it’s unfair that Teichtmeister doesn’t have to go to jail for his crimes. But hastily drafting a law that contains points that have never been considered is nothing more than unnecessary activism. When it comes to such sensitive issues, those responsible must keep a cool head. And leave the money of populism behind.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
