New Zealand’s major media outlets—TVNZ, Stuff, Mediaworks, NZME and Radio NZ—signed an unprecedented agreement on May 1 to self-censor their coverage of the trial of Brenton Tarrant, who is accused of killing 51 people in terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on March 15.
Tarrant is due to reappear in court on June 14, when he is expected to enter a plea. This week police charged him with committing an act of terrorism, in addition to 51 previously laid charges of murder and 40 of attempted murder. The gunman wrote in his manifesto that he would plead not guilty and use his trial to espouse his fascist and white supremacist ideology, like his idol, Norwegian terrorist Anders Breivik.
The Christchurch attack was New Zealand’s worst mass shooting and one of the most devastating acts of far-right terrorism anywhere in the world. The victims included New Zealanders and people from Malaysia, Turkey, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Tarrant’s trial will be followed by millions of people internationally who were horrified by the atrocity and want to understand why and how it took place.
The new charge of terrorism requires that prosecutors prove Tarrant’s political or ideological motivation. Discussion of this crucial evidence in court, however, is likely to be suppressed by the major media outlets on the pretext of denying the gunman “a platform.”
Global News 
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