Drawing on an online survey of mayors from the German federal state of Baden‐Wuerttemberg this article analyses (1) to what extent social media is used abusively at the municipal level, (2) how mayors react to hate speech and (3) whether the experience of such insulting comments and threats is correlated with their perception of social media as a tool for political communication. The analysis shows that hateful comments are part of the social media experience on the local level. 53.9% of the mayors have at least once experienced personal insults and hostilities on social media in their role as politicians. The majority of them (56.7%) ignored the hate speech without reaction. Significantly fewer reacted more actively: 29.8% responded to the insulting message, 5.4% blocked the hater, and 8.2% filed a judicial complaint. The statistical analysis shows that mayors who use social media in a more professional way are more likely to react to hate speech in such an active manner. Moreover, the experience of hate speech and particularly an active type of reacting are found to be positively related to mayors' perceptions of how useful they consider social media to be for political communication.
Aim
Public health depends on effective structures at all administrative levels. Focusing on the case of Germany, this study assesses the capabilities of local health authorities and how these organisations fulfil their role within the communal health structures.
Subject and methods
German local health authorities; Explorative online survey.
Results
Local health authorities face some organisational deficiencies (mostly in expertise) in living up to their role within communal health structures. Despite these challenges, they do engage in exchange with municipalities and get involved in programmes and public health surveillance.
Conclusion
To strengthen public health and increase the effectiveness of health administrative structures, it would be wise to provide the necessary resources at the local level and to reassess the scope and mandate of local health authorities.
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