Warning: This story contains elements of a crime that readers may find traumatising or confronting.
Following yesterday’s mass shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand, Sky NZ has officially stated that they’ll no longer endorse Sky News Australia until they are confident the footage won’t be shared.
This decision comes as the Australian News Corp-owned giant shared distressing footage of the attack.
The footage was uploaded in a shock move, which has New Zealand residents reeling.
We stand in support of our fellow New Zealanders and have made the decision to remove Sky News Australia from our platform until we are confident that the distressing footage from yesterday’s events will not be shared #KiaKahaChristchurch https://t.co/Srh5E9Oilm
— SKY New Zealand (@SKYNZ) March 15, 2019
One resident commented, “we in Christchurch have enough to handle without watching the carnage of yesterday… Ty [thankyou] again.”
Chris Major, Sky NZ Director of External Affairs told The Brag:
“Sky News Australia swapped the service to New Zealand to sports programming on Friday night after consultation and agreement with Sky NZ. It was a proactive and precautionary decision taken by both parties to ensure any live coverage or commentary taking place in Australia, outside of the NZ jurisdiction, did not compromise the NZ investigations and legal process.”
Sky New Zealand have made it clear that they are not owned by the same business.
This footage came from alleged Australian mass shooter Brenton Tarrant. Tarrant is a 28-year-old personal trainer from Grafton, New South Wales.
The assailant live streamed his attack, which saw him enter a mosque, dressed in army-style clothing, armed with a firearm. The footage pictures the alleged attacker shoot several of his victims.
He has appeared in court this morning, handcuffed and wearing a prison robe. Tarrant has been charged with one count of murder so far.
The mass shooting was dubbed as being “worse than the Port Arthur Massacre”. There have been at least 49 victims who have succumbed to their injuries so far, with 48 others receiving hospital treatment.
Chris Major told The Brag there may be some scheduling changes that are “part of the ongoing management of coverage.”
