A push is underway for the Australian government to intervene and prevent local audiences from accessing a planned live broadcast of a US military execution, with concerns raised over the potential for graphic content to be widely disseminated. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young has described the execution as "barbaric," though officials suggest legal and diplomatic constraints may limit the government’s ability to enforce restrictions on an ally’s legal proceedings. The communications department has already urged media outlets to exercise caution in covering the event, scheduled to be livestreamed by the Pentagon. Uncertainty remains over whether Australia could—or would—take further action to block access.
Federal government urged to prevent Australians from viewing planned broadcast of Fort Hood mass murderer Nidal Hasan’s executionGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcastFollow our Australia politics live blog for latest updatesThe Australian government should block the “barbaric” broadcast or live stream of a US military execution, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young says, but it is unclear whether the commonwealth can or would be willing to do so.While the communications department warned media broadcasters must “act responsibly” in reporting on the scheduled execution by firing squad of Nidal Malik Hasan – which the Pentagon said would be livestreamed on 3 December – Australian federal government sources said there may be limitations in what it can do to order restrictions on an ally carrying out its own legal proceedings. Continue reading...
