Politics · Australia · 1 hr ago
Australia’s eSafety regulator says it cannot pre-emptively block execution livestream
A US military execution of Nidal Hasan is scheduled to be livestreamed on 3 December.
Australia’s government has said the execution should not be shown to Australians.
The eSafety Commission says it cannot proactively stop the livestream from appearing online.
However, it says online services have duties under Australian rules to protect users from harmful material.
The regulator will monitor the situation and consider action under those rules.
Cabinet minister Murray Watt called the planned broadcast deeply distressing but did not commit to changing the law.
The issue matters because Australia’s regulator says it cannot directly prevent the stream before it begins.
Australia’s eSafety commission says it cannot proactively prevent a planned livestream of a US military execution.
The regulator says it will monitor the situation and consider action under existing online safety rules.
The execution of Nidal Hasan is planned for 3 December.
The government has said the execution should not be shown to Australians, while a cabinet minister has not committed to legislative changes.
- Who
- Australia’s eSafety commission, the Australian government and online platforms.
- What
- The regulator says it cannot proactively block a planned livestream of a US military execution, but will monitor the situation.
- When
- The execution is planned for 3 December; the articles do not state the year.
- Where
- The execution is in the US; the government’s concern is that Australians could watch it.
- Why
- The commission says it lacks powers to proactively prevent an online livestream, while platforms have responsibilities under Australia’s online safety framework.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The government said the looming execution should not be shown to Australians.
The eSafety commission said it could not proactively prevent the livestream and would monitor the situation.
The planned US military execution is due to take place.
- Planned execution
- Nidal Hasan
- Planned date
- 3 December
- Regulator
- Australia’s eSafety commission
- Regulator’s stated limit
- It cannot proactively prevent a livestream
- Online platforms
- Have responsibilities under Australia’s online safety regulatory framework
What people are saying
While eSafety does not have powers to proactively prevent a livestream from occurring online, online services have responsibilities under Australia’s online safety regulatory framework to protect users from harmful material.
I just find the idea of a public streaming of a firing squad execution absolutely disgusting.
I wouldn’t want to commit to any legislative change at this point in time
Sources
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