Australian watchdog to probe broadcast of New Zealand gunman livestream

SYDNEY: Australia's media watchdog launched a formal investigation Monday into the possible breach of rules by networks which broadcast or put online images from a livestream of the New Zealand mosque massacre.

Some Australian outlets used clips or images taken from the 17-minute livestream broadcast on Facebook by alleged gunman Australian Brenton Tarrant as he mowed down worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch on Friday, killing 50 people.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said its "formal investigation" would include content from the livestream broadcast by commercial, national and subscription television.

ACMA chair Nerida O'Loughlin would write to broadcasters' CEOs demanding "urgent information on the nature, extent and timing of the broadcast of content relating to the shootings, in particular from the day of the attack", it said. The regulator said it would also meet with industry bodies to discuss whether current rules provide "adequate protections" for the public from such content.