Graphic content showing the stabbing of a Sydney bishop will remain hidden on social media platform X for at least the next fortnight, following a stoush over the visibility of the video.
The Federal Court on Wednesday extended an injunction requiring X, formerly known as Twitter, to hide video showing the stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, which had been deemed as a terrorist incident.
The injunction will remain in place until at least May 10, pending a further court hearing.
Australia’s online safety watchdog, the eSafety Commissioner, had issued a notice to social media platforms following the stabbing requiring the footage be removed, but X did not comply with the order.
Its owner Elon Musk had defended X, accusing the commissioner of censorship.
In a statement after the extended injunction, the commission said while it was broadly satisfied with the compliance of social media companies to the takedown orders, it would take action where required.
“eSafety expects that platforms providing online services to Australians comply with Australian law and do everything practical and reasonable to minimise the harm of extreme violent video to our citizens and community,” the statement said.
“eSafety will continue to exercise its powers under the Online Safety Act in cases where compliance does not occur, ensuring Australians are protected where possible from extreme violent and other class one material, such as child sexual exploitation material.”
As part of the takedown order, clips online showing the April 15 stabbing attack would be hidden behind legal notices for all global users.
Lawyers for X told the Federal Court Bishop Emmanuel had signed an affidavit stating the religious leader was “strongly of the view” the graphic content should remain online.
It comes as calls grow for online age verification in Australia in an effort to protect younger users on the internet.
ASIO director-general Mike Burgess told the National Press Club such efforts to have age verification would “help with the problem”, as well as law enforcement efforts.
