Australian Judge Lifts Ban on X Showing Videos of Sydney Stabbing
TimeMay 21
Australia Suspends Stabbing Video Case Against X
Above: In this photo illustration, a web browser displays the URL www.twitter.com while displaying X.com, on May 17, 2024 in London, England. Image copyright: Apu Gomes/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant has dropped her order against X, formerly Twitter, to take down video footage of the stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel in Sydney. Inman-Grant previously argued the video could incite further violence.
X refused both the Commissioner's order and that of the Federal Court to temporarily remove the footage, arguing it was invalid. In response to Inman-Grant's policy reversal, X owner Elon Musk said his company is "heartened to see that freedom of speech has prevailed."
The Spin
Left narrative
The only person who feels this is a win is Elon Musk, whose choice was in the minority among other social media companies who chose to remove the violent video. Until the Appeals Tribunal makes its final decision, Musk and his platform will continue to put the world at risk of further violence. The eSafety Commissioner's job is to keep Australians safe, which is why her legal fight is not over.
Right narrative
It appears that Julie Inman-Grant has finally hit a wall in her pursuit to rule over the Australian internet. While she's successfully taken down content, such as material critical of transgender ideology, Australia's chief censor has finally met her match in Elon Musk. Musk has proven that authoritarian impulses can't cleanse the internet of content deemed a "threat" to political beliefs.