When censorship becomes necessary | David Shanks | TEDxChristchurch

Summary

David Shanks, New Zealand's Chief Censor, shares his challenging role in overseeing the censorship of harmful content, from movies to terrorist propaganda. He details his emotional experience watching the Christchurch terrorist attack livestream and highlights the ethical complexities of censorship. Shanks discusses the delicate balance between protecting freedom of speech and preventing harm, stressing the importance of limiting extremist content online. He reflects on the global responsibility of tech companies and governments in combating hate and violence, ending with a hopeful message that it is possible to find a balance that safeguards both freedom and safety in the digital age.

Takeaways

• 😀 The role of New Zealand's Chief Censor is emotionally and ethically complex, involving the review of both mainstream media and disturbing content like terrorist propaganda.
• 😀 David Shanks recalls watching the Christchurch shooting livestream, which was a deeply traumatic experience but necessary for his job in deciding whether to censor it.
• 😀 Censorship, while a blunt tool, is sometimes necessary to prevent harm, particularly when it comes to the spread of terrorist content or hate speech.
• 😀 The paradox of freedom of expression: true freedom requires limits to protect society from intolerable content, like violent extremism.
• 😀 Online platforms, like YouTube and Facebook, are crucial in identifying and removing violent content, but their responsibility goes beyond just compliance—it’s about protecting communities.
• 😀 The Christchurch attack video went viral, and despite efforts by platforms to take it down, it was widely shared and watched by many, amplifying its impact.
• 😀 Censorship in a democratic society must be carefully considered and balanced to avoid misuse by governments or authoritarian regimes.
• 😀 Terrorist content can serve as propaganda, with the aim of attracting followers and inciting further violence. Censorship helps to prevent this by removing harmful materials from circulation.
• 😀 The decision to ban violent extremist content is not about suppressing political or unpopular views, but about limiting harm and protecting public safety.
• 😀 Shanks emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and shared responsibility in combating the global spread of violent extremism online.
• 😀 Despite the challenges, Shanks believes that censorship can play a vital role in creating a safer digital space while maintaining the core values of freedom and democracy.

Q & A

What is the main responsibility of David Shanks, as the chief censor of New Zealand?

David Shanks' primary responsibility is to assess and classify media content to determine what is harmful or illegal. He must decide what crosses the line of acceptable expression and enforce censorship accordingly.

How does David Shanks describe his job in relation to viewing content?

David Shanks describes his job as involving the viewing of a wide range of media, from Hollywood movies and Netflix series to disturbing and harmful content, including child abuse images and terrorist videos.

Why did David Shanks have to watch the live stream video related to the Christchurch terrorist attack?

Shanks had to watch the live stream video of the Christchurch terrorist attack as part of his role in determining whether it violated New Zealand’s censorship laws. The video was considered a terrorist promotional product, and he had to decide whether to ban it.

What was Shanks' emotional reaction to watching the Christchurch terrorist attack video?

Shanks describes feeling sick and emotionally disturbed as he watched the video, particularly because of the violence and the impact it would have on the victims' families, as well as the fact that many people, including children, had already seen the footage.

What role does censorship play in the context of freedom of expression?

Censorship is portrayed as a necessary tool to prevent harm, but it must be applied carefully and only when absolutely necessary. Shanks emphasizes that freedom of expression is crucial, but certain harmful content, such as terrorist propaganda, must be restricted to protect society.

How does David Shanks define the 'great replacement' document, and why was it banned?

The 'great replacement' document was a manifesto written by the Christchurch terrorist promoting white supremacy and justifying violence. It was banned because it was seen as a promotional tool for terrorism and hate, encouraging others to commit similar acts of violence.

What was Shanks' decision regarding the live stream video and the associated documents?

Shanks and his team decided to ban both the live stream video and the associated 'great replacement' document, considering them terrorist promotional products designed to spread hate and incite violence.

What actions did Shanks take to ensure the banned materials were not circulated?

Shanks informed the public that the banned materials, including the live stream video and manifesto, were illegal and instructed people to destroy, delete, and not share them. Social media platforms also took steps to remove the content from their sites.

What paradox does David Shanks identify in relation to freedom of speech and censorship?

Shanks identifies the paradox that to truly value freedom of speech, there must be limits. If freedom of expression is unchecked, it can be used by criminals and terrorists as a weapon to undermine rights and freedoms, threatening democracy itself.

What is Shanks' perspective on the role of technology in spreading violence and extremism?

Shanks acknowledges that technology can amplify and spread hatred and violence, as seen in the Christchurch attack and subsequent events. However, he believes that solutions can be found through global cooperation, including more responsible reporting, ethical content management, and the restriction of harmful extremist material online.