It’s bee classified as objectionable.
It is illegal for anyone in New Zealand to view, possess or distribute the video of the Christchurch attacks in any form according to New Zealand Chief Censor David Shanks.
New Zealand has officially classified the full 17 minute video of the fatal Christchurch shootings which occurred on Friday 15 March, as objectionable because of its depiction and promotion of extreme violence and terrorism.
This means it is illegal for anyone in New Zealand to view, possess or distribute this material in any form, including via social media platforms.
“We’re aware that for a time after the attacks, this video was widely available on social media and many New Zealanders saw it, sometimes without meaning to”.
“Its important people are now clear they should not view, download or share the video”, Shanks said.
The attack at two mosques in Christchurch killed 50 people and left 30 more in hospital, nine of whom are in critical condition in intensive care.
Facebook’s VP and deputy general counsel Chris Sonderby has released a statement claiming the video of the mosque attacks was watched fewer than 200 times when it was live streamed.
“No users reported the video during the live broadcast. Including the views during the live broadcast, the video was viewed about 4000 times in total before being removed from Facebook,” Sonderby said.
The statement comes in response to widespread criticism of the platform for allowing the video to be shared on their platforms, with 1.5 million videos of the attacks being removed in the first 24 hours after the attacks.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has vowed never to refer to the alleged killer by name, and called on the public to instead, “speak the names of those who were lost”.
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