Albanese says social media has a 'responsibility' to block execution live stream

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he will do everything possible to stop the planned live stream of the firing squad execution of Nidal Malik Hasan from being available to Australians.

Last week, The Pentagon confirmed that the US's first execution by a military firing squad since World War II will be live-streamed for anyone to see.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the execution of US-born Hasan will happen on December 3.

Hasan is convicted of killing 13 people and injuring 32 more in a shooting at the Fort Hood, Texas, military base in 2009 - which is also where the execution will take place.

US live-stream of Hasan execution

Australian politicians on all sides have expressed concern about the planned live-stream, and want it to be addressed urgently.

On Tuesday Albanese told Afternoon Briefing that the government would do whatever it could, but said it was not as simple as "turning off a light switch".

"Australia has had a bipartisan position of opposition to the death penalty and I find the idea of live streaming the death of anybody completely abhorrent," Albanese said.

“We should do whatever we can to stop that occurring.”

The prime minister said he would make it "very clear" to social media platforms that the content had “no place in Australia”.

“I think anybody broadcasting this will damage their own reputations as well. They have a social responsibility here to do the right thing.”

Albanese also confirmed that Australia's concerns have been expressed to the Trump administration.

"President Trump has already said he is giving consideration to this and I hope that there is a response in the United States as well," he said.

Limited powers to block execution live stream

On Monday the eSafety Commission said it did not have the capability to entirely prevent Australians from viewing the execution online.

"While eSafety does not have powers to proactively prevent a live stream from occurring online, online services have responsibilities under Australia's online safety regulatory framework to protect users from harmful material," a spokesperson told the ABC.

US determined to proceed with execution live stream

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week, "People need to understand that there are serious consequences for these types of things."

Hegseth made it clear that Hasan is not worthy of compassionate considerations such as a request for a last meal:

“Don't care. We'll see him on December third.”