Facebook regulation is ‘inevitable’ following Christchurch attack, as broadcasters face inquiry

Australia’s media regulator is investigating whether broadcasters went too far by screening a harrowing Facebook video of the Christchurch terrorist attack.

Australia’s media regulator is investigating whether broadcasters went too far by screening a harrowing Facebook video of the Christchurch terrorist attack, amid renewed calls for social media platforms to face similar questions and regulations.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority also flagged the possibility of reforming television codes of practice to ensure “adequate protections for Australian audiences” after footage from the mass shooting at Christchurch’s Al Noor mosque was taken from the social network and widely broadcast.

A teenager appeared in Christchurch District Court on Monday charged with making an objectionable publication and publishing an objectionable publication.

The investigation comes after an 18-year-old man faced court in New Zealand for distributing the same distressing video and for making online comments in support of the murders, in what could be the first of many prosecutions following the incident.

ACMA became the latest organisation to weigh into the fallout of the Christchurch attack, revealing chairwoman Nerida O’Loughlin would urgently request meetings and details from Australian broadcasters on “the nature, extent, and timing” of graphic footage aired from the New Zealand shootings.

An ACMA spokesman said the Authority would determine whether broadcasters had breached current codes of practice, and whether new guidelines needed to be introduced to protect TV audiences from witnessing traumatic video uploaded to social media.

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The alleged Christchurch gunman Brenton Tarrant.

“A particular focus of the investigation is the broadcast of the perpetrator-filmed, live streamed footage of the shootings that was broadcast on Australian television,” he said.

“Whilst the focus is the perpetrator’s footage, given the disturbing nature of the incident, all relevant broadcast footage will be examined.”

Current broadcasting rules state TV stations should not broadcast content that is “likely to seriously distress or seriously offend a substantial number of viewers”.

But ACMA still has no power to regulate original sources of the video, including Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, despite arguing to take that role to the ACCC’s Digital Platform Inquiry earlier this month.

Swinburne social media major director Dr Belinda Barnet said Facebook’s handling of the Christchurch shooting broadcast had almost guaranteed it would face regulations around its content, however.

“It is inevitable,” she said. “We’re getting political clout behind it. The platforms themselves do need legislative reform.”

ACMA still has no power to regulate original sources of the video, including Facebook.

Ms Barnet said the tech giant should have used more existing digital moderation tools to stop the video from spreading, including using software to identify live videos with gun violence and “hashing” videos to ensure they were not repeatedly shared.

An 18-year-old man also faced repercussions from sharing the disturbing video yesterday, after he was brought before a New Zealand judge to face charges of sharing the video and publishing a message support the vicious attack.

The man, whose name was suppressed by the judge, faces up to 14 years in prison for each offence, the second of which included publishing a photo of the Christchurch mosque with the message, “target acquired”. He will face court again on April 8.

The prosecution could be the first of many in New Zealand, but Dr Barnet said while prosecuting people for inciting violence was important, Australian regulators should not let the platforms they use get away without consequences.

“Individuals should be held responsible for what they share and what they post, when they’re of age,” she said.

“But the platforms themselves will also try to dodgy responsibility for being part of that process, and we should continue to apply pressure to make sure they are held responsible.”

Originally published as Facebook regulation is ‘inevitable’ following Christchurch attack, as broadcasters face inquiry