The Federal Court has ordered an injunction against social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to stop displaying a video showing the stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel at a church in Sydney.
Footage captured from a livestream of the bishop giving a service at the Assyrian Christ the Good Shepherd church has been circulating online. The Bishop is recovering and has forgiven the attacker. A16-year-old has been charged.
eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant sees the content as “extreme and gratuitous”. She used her powers under the Online Safety Act to formally compel X to remove it.
X said it would comply pending a legal challenge. The platform and owner billionaire Elon Musk see this as a free speech issue.
"“We will robustly challenge this unlawful and dangerous approach in court," X said.
“Global takedown orders go against the very principles of a free and open internet and threaten free speech everywhere.”
The Federal Court has granted an interim injunction compelling X Corp to hide the violent video. The injunction iks effect until Wednesday to allow time for a second hearing.
"To be clear, the removal notice does not relate to commentary, public debate or other posts about this event," said a spokesperson for the eSafety commissioner.
"It only concerns the video of the violent stabbing attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel."
"eSafety will continue to use its suite of powers under the Online Safety Act to protect Australians from serious online harms, including extreme violent content."
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