Can Australia block an execution livestream?

On the morning of 4 December, Australian time, the U.S. military plans to carry out its first execution by firing squad since WWII. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth wants the public to be able to watch the killing via livestream, in an announcement that’s prompted global debate about online harms and the ethics of such a move.

Here in Australia, MPs across the political spectrum have condemned the plans, with calls for regulators to intervene. But can the Federal Government actually block footage of this kind from being seen by Aussies?

Today we're unpacking everything you need to know about this story, including the renewed national conversation around a digital duty of care.

Host: Billi FitzSimons and Emma Gillespie
Producer: Orla Maher
Video editor: Rosa Bowden

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