Calls on federal government to block US execution live stream in Australia

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has written to the eSafety commissioner and the communications minister, urging them to take action to prevent the live streaming of a US execution from being available in Australia.

The US Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, has announced that the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, a convicted killer, will be live streamed on December 3. Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and injuring dozens more in a shooting at the Fort Hood military base in 2009.

The Greens want the federal government to 'take whatever action is necessary' to prevent the live streaming of the execution from being shown in Australia. Senator Hanson-Young has written to the eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, and Communications Minister, Anika Wells, asking them to confirm they will take action to prevent the broadcast or accessibility of the execution online.

Senator Hanson-Young has stated that Australians do not want to see the execution on their screens, describing it as 'incredibly shocking and barbaric'. She has also warned streaming and social media platforms, such as YouTube, TikTok, and Meta, that large fines will apply if they broadcast or replay the execution.

A spokesperson for the communications department has stated that broadcasters must comply with rules about reporting on violent or distressing content and exercise strong editorial control over their coverage.

The ABC has contacted the eSafety commissioner and Ms Wells' office for comment, but no response has been received at this time.