The U.S. military plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan by firing squad on December 3. If this occurs, it will be the first time a lawful execution is broadcast live. Typically, executions are held out of public view, and there have been efforts to limit the sharing of execution footage online. Death penalty experts noted that they do not know of any previous lawful execution being livestreamed for public viewing, although executions have occasionally been recorded after the fact.
Public executions are rare today, with most countries that still have the death penalty carrying out executions away from the public eye. Reports indicate that most recent public executions have happened in Iran and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. This execution would also be significant in the U.S. context, as public executions largely ended in the 20th century, with the last legal public execution occurring in 1936. Hasan’s execution will be the first carried out by firing squad since World War II.
The internet has changed how execution footage can spread, allowing local events to become global content quickly. Groups like ISIS have produced highly edited execution videos for propaganda, while criminal organizations share violent images to intimidate rivals. Governments and tech companies have sought to limit access to such content. New Zealand’s chief censor noted challenges in preventing access to a livestream, as videos can be easily shared before moderation can take place. Even countries that conduct public executions have restricted filming rights.
With information from Reuters
