Key facts
- Australian politicians across the political spectrum oppose the livestream of a US execution.
- US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan on December 3.
- Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009.
- Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young urged the government to block the livestream in Australia.
- Concerns exist about balancing online safety with freedom of expression regarding social media content.
- The UN's office of the high commissioner for human rights warned broadcasting the killing would breach the prohibition of torture.
Australian politicians from across the political spectrum have united in their opposition to the U.S. plan to livestream the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, a former Army Major convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009. The execution, scheduled for December 3, would be the first by a U.S. military firing squad in six decades.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has stated his intention to make the execution publicly viewable. However, this plan has drawn widespread criticism both within Australia and internationally, with human rights groups calling it "appalling" and a "breach of the absolute prohibition of torture."
In Australia, Greens communications spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young has urged the federal government to take action to prevent the livestream from being broadcast or accessible online. She has written to Communications Minister Anika Wells and the eSafety commissioner, calling for "pre-emptive" steps and warning of "very large fines" for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Meta if they allow the content. Hanson-Young described the prospect as "incredibly shocking and barbaric."
While there is broad agreement on rejecting the livestream, divisions have emerged regarding the extent to which social media companies should be penalized for hosting such content. Liberal frontbencher Tim Wilson noted the challenge of enforcing a ban without impacting freedom of speech, a sentiment echoed by Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino, who highlighted the need to "walk a fine line" between protection and expression.
One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce likened the planned livestream to a "Roman amphitheatre," emphasizing that Australians, who do not have the death penalty, should not be exposed to such violence, particularly children.
Globally, other countries like New Zealand and the Netherlands are also grappling with the difficulties of restricting internet broadcasts. US Vice-President JD Vance has cast doubt on whether the execution would actually be livestreamed.