The New Zealand government banned the manifesto written by the man accused of slaughtering 50 people at two mosques in Christchurch
DUNEDIN, New Zealand — New Zealanders are debating the limits of free speech after their chief censor banned a 74-page manifesto written by the man accused of slaughtering 50 people at two mosques in the city of Christchurch.
Chief Censor David Shanks said Tarrant’s manifesto contains justifications for acts of tremendous cruelty like killing children and encourages acts of terrorism, even outlining specific places to target and methods to carry out attacks. Franks said he had no interest in reading the manifesto until it was banned. He now is curious because it is “forbidden fruit,” he said, and he worries others may feel the same way. He said the ban makes no sense when New Zealanders remain free to read Adolf Hitler’s autobiography, “Mein Kampf.”“He sought many things from his act of terror, but one was notoriety,” she said. “And that is why you will never hear me mention his name.”Some media organizations appear to be taking up her call.
But Danish journalist Claus Blok Thomsen, who works for the Politiken newspaper and covered the trial of Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik, said there are dangers in censoring Tarrant. He said that during the Breivik trial, many media outlets, including his own, were careful to report only what happened in court without discussing Breivik’s far-right ideology.
In Dunedin, about a five-hour drive south of Christchurch, Tarrant lived in a modest pale-green wooden apartment. His neighbours said they’d see him out running sometimes, but that he mostly kept to himself. At the Anytime Fitness gym, those who knew him described him as polite and interested mainly in pumping weights that build upper-body strength.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Montreal holds vigil remembering 50 victims from New Zealand shootingsImam Hassan Guillet referred to unconfirmed reports that the New Zealand shooter was influenced by Alexandre Bissonnette
Read more »
Thousands attend New Zealand vigil to honour 50 mosque deadThousands of people gathered in the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Sunday to listen to prayers, songs and speeches at a vigil to remember the 50 people killed in a terrorist attack on two mosques.
Read more »
Despite criticism, Andrew Scheer again declines to say victims of New Zealand massacre were MuslimsThe Conservative leader complains the attacks on him are ‘completely baseless’ and driven by ‘disgusting’ Liberal efforts to score political points from the tragedy.
Read more »
Suspect in New Zealand mosque shootings faces life in prison in isolation, deputy prime minister saysSpeaking at an emergency session, Winston Peters told representatives of Muslim nations: ‘no punishment can match the depravity of his crime but the families of the fallen will have justice’
Read more »
New Zealand lights a path for the world even during its 'darkest of days' - Macleans.ca'We are alive. We are together. We are determined to not let anyone divide us,' says an imam who survived the attack
Read more »
New Zealand massacre exposed shortcomings at Facebook, YouTubeAnalysts say the attack in Christchurch flouted AI that social-media companies often flaunt
Read more »