Australia plans tougher social media laws for failing to thwart violent content

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny arrive for the national remembrance service for victims of the mosque attacks, at Hagley Park in Christchurch, New Zealand March 29, 2019. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

MELBOURNE: Social media executives could spend up to three years in prison and their firms be fined 10% of their turnover if they fail to quickly remove violent material from their platforms, according to a new law proposed by the Australian government.

The March 15 massacre in Christchurch, New Zealand, in which 50 worshippers were killed at two mosques was carried out by a suspected white supremacist who livestreamed the killings on Facebook, raising criticism of the role of social media in society.