Australian Court Sides with X in Free Speech Battle

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

An Australian court ruled in favor of X, overturning an eSafety commissionerโ€™s order to block video footage of an attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel in April.

An Australian court has ruled in favor of social media platform X, allowing it to keep video footage of an attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel accessible within the country.

The decision overturns an earlier order by the eSafety commissioner that had required X to block Australians from viewing the footage, according to a copy of the ruling and a statement posted by Xโ€™s Global Government Affairs account.

Following the attack on April 15 during a livestreamed sermon at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, Sydney, several X users posted videos of the incident.

Emmanuel himself believed the public should be allowed to see the footage, making his opinion known at a sermon two weeks after the attack at his church. Despite this, the eSafety commissioner ordered X to restrict access to the video in Australia, even though it remained available on other platforms.

X complied with the order domestically while initiating a legal challenge, the X statement said. Unsatisfied with the platformโ€™s response, the eSafety commissioner demanded that social media companies censor the footage worldwide.

While other platforms catered to the commissionerโ€™s demands, X contested the global censorship demand in the Australian Federal Court, the company said in the statement. The court ruled in favor of X, rejecting the commissionerโ€™s request for worldwide censorship.

In the statement released on Oct. 11, X said, โ€œX welcomes the decision of the Australian eSafety commissioner to concede that it should not have ordered X to block the video footage of the tragic attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel.โ€

The company added, โ€œIt is regrettable the Commissioner used significant taxpayer resources for this legal battle when communities need more than ever to be allowed to see, decide and discuss what is true and important to them.โ€

Emmanuel spoke out against online censorship after he returned from the hospital, where he was treated for eye injuries sustained in the attack.

Byย Chase Smith

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

The Sacred Honor of the 56

Today we're celebrating the sacred honor of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence.

Alligator Alcatraz: A Bold Step Toward Secure Borders

Alligator Alcatraz funded through FEMA, represents a decisive move by the Trump admin to address illegal immigration with efficiency and resolve.

Is America Broke?

Silicon Valley investor and economic commentator Balaji Srinivasan made...

Hungary: Prideโ„ข Cometh Before the Color Revolution

The EU engaged in a diplomatic siege of the Eastern European nation-state of Hungary pressuring it into embrace global trannyism or face wrath of Brussels.

Understanding the Trump/Musk Feud

The passion Trump and Musk exhibit over the OBBB is not contrived or for show. Each is addressing the problem from completely different approaches.

Noem Waives Environmental Restrictions to Fast-Track Water Barriers in Rio Grande

DHS Sec Kristi Noem waived federal environmental laws to fast-track construction of 17 miles of waterborne barriers in the Rio Grande in South Texas.

Federal Officials Warn of โ€˜Lone Wolfโ€™ Terror Threats on July 4, NY Governor Says

NY Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed that federal officials informed her about a possible terrorist threat ahead of the July 4 Independence Day holiday.

Record 1 in 5 Buyers of New Cars Committing to $1,000-Plus Monthly Payments: Edmunds

The share of new car buyers committing to make monthly payments of $1,000 or more hit an โ€œall-time highโ€ in the second quarter of 2025.

US Economy Adds 147,000 New Jobs, Unemployment Rate Dips to 4.1 Percent in June

The U.S. job market remained strong in June, as labor conditions continued to hold up amid economic uncertainty.

US Keeps Pressure on Chinese Goods Amid Vietnam Trade Deal

Transshippingโ€”rerouting goods through a third country to disguise the origin of the productsโ€”is a focal point of trade negotiations with Asian markets.

White House Report Reveals Top Earners, Staffers Working for No Salary

The Trump admin released its yearly report that shows the salaries for White House staffers, also revealing officials who arenโ€™t accepting salaries at all.

Transportation Secretary Urges Governors to Remove Political Messages From Crosswalks, Intersections

Duffy sent letters to governors, mayor of D.C., and gov of Puerto Rico urging them to remove political messaging from intersections and crosswalks.

Bessent: US, India Near Agreement to Lower Tariffs

The United States and India are โ€œvery closeโ€ to a trade agreement, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday.
spot_img

Related Articles