Politics · United States · 1 hr ago
Australia urged to block planned livestream of US execution
The Pentagon has announced plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan on December 3 in the United States.
Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood, a military base in Texas, in 2009.
The execution is expected to be carried out by firing squad, which would be the first such killing in the US since World War II.
Australian politicians and officials have condemned the plan and raised concerns about the footage reaching viewers, especially children.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has asked the communications minister and the eSafety Commissioner to take steps to block it in Australia.
The government says broadcasters should follow rules on violent content and use strong editorial control, but politicians say they are unsure what legal powers could stop the stream.
White House officials have said President Donald Trump has not committed to broadcasting it, so the plan could still be dropped.
The Pentagon announced that Nidal Malik Hasan’s execution in the United States would be livestreamed on December 3.
Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood, a military base in Texas, in 2009.
The execution is expected to be carried out by firing squad, which would be the first such killing in the United States since World War II.
Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young urged the government to prevent the footage from being accessible in Australia.
Australian officials and politicians raised concerns about distressing content, while some also questioned whether it could legally or effectively be blocked.
- Who
- Nidal Malik Hasan is scheduled to be executed. Australian politicians and officials have called for action over the planned livestream.
- What
- The Pentagon announced that Hasan’s execution would be livestreamed. It is expected to be carried out by firing squad.
- When
- The execution is planned for December 3, 2026.
- Where
- The execution is planned to take place in the United States; Hasan was convicted over killings at Fort Hood, Texas.
- Why
- The Pentagon announced the livestream plan, but the articles do not state its reason.
Sarah Hanson-Young and supporters of blocking the footage
Tim Wilson and those concerned about censorship
Access to footage
Sarah Hanson-Young and supporters of blocking the footage
Hanson-Young called for action to ensure the livestream is not accessible in Australia.
Tim Wilson and those concerned about censorship
Wilson said the execution should not be promoted, but questioned how to prevent access without imposing an internet censorship ban.
Government action
Sarah Hanson-Young and supporters of blocking the footage
Hanson-Young urged the government to take whatever action was necessary and called for very large fines for platforms that broadcast or replay the execution.
Tim Wilson and those concerned about censorship
Wilson raised concerns about censorship; the article does not state a specific alternative he proposed.
This is an unconscionable, abhorrent act that will undoubtedly expose an immeasurable number of people, including Australians and their children, to traumatic, barbaric content that has absolutely no place in any society, let alone ours.
Roman amphitheatre stuff
We shouldn’t be promoting that sort of violence
Vision of an execution being livestreamed here would be deeply distressing to many Australians. No one should be confronted with it, particularly younger Australians.
Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in Texas.
The Pentagon announced that Hasan’s execution would be livestreamed.
Sarah Hanson-Young wrote to Communications Minister Anika Wells and eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, calling for action to stop the footage being available in Australia.
Hasan’s execution is planned to take place.
- Convicted person
- Nidal Malik Hasan
- Victims
- 13 people
- Location of 2009 killings
- Fort Hood, Texas
- Planned execution date
- December 3, 2026
- Expected method
- Firing squad
- Australian senator calling for a block
- Sarah Hanson-Young
Sources
Related news
Judge orders Trump administration to stop taxpayer-funded TV ads
Trump and Rubio weigh firing US ambassador to Greece amid misconduct allegations
Six US senators urge Trump to abandon planned Russian diesel deal
Trump has not decided whether to livestream Nidal Hasan’s execution
Vance doubts plan to livestream Nidal Hasan’s execution
Trump names Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary
US Justice Department investigates networks over White House coverage pause
Trump creates committee to investigate allegations against Fed governor Lisa Cook
US suspends major tech firms from green-card labor certification program
US judge bars airing of Trump TV ads funded by taxpayer money
Michigan Senate candidates trade personal attacks in first televised debate
