Elon Musk's X social media platform plans to fight an order to remove some posts in Australia that depicted a stabbing attack on a bishop during a church service that was captured on a live stream camera.
A teen walked up to the altar and started stabbing Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel. A priest was also stabbed. Both survived the attack.
The Australian eSafety Commissioner ordered X and Facebook to remove videos of the attack.
"These posts did not violate X's rules on violent speech," responded X's Global Government Affairs account.
"While X respects the right of a country to enforce its laws within its jurisdiction, the eSafety Commissioner does not have the authority to dictate what content X's users can see globally. We will robustly challenge this unlawful and dangerous approach in court."
X says Australia's eSafety Commissioner is threatening a fine of around $500,000 if the posts are not removed.
The recent attacks in Australia are a horrific assault on free society. Our condolences go out to those who have been affected, and we stand with the Australian people in calling for those responsible to be brought to justice.
— Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) April 19, 2024
Following these events, the Australian eSafety…
"Global takedown orders go against the very principles of a free and open internet and threaten free speech everywhere," X stated.
The 16-year-old boy who allegedly carried out the stabbing in Sydney's Wakeley suburb has been charged with a terrorism offense in connection with the incident.
