Christchurch massacre brings out the best and worst in humanity

The massacre in two Christchurch mosques has brought unparalleled responses

NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern – Photo courtesy: Christchurch City Council Newsline/Kirk Hargreaves (CC BY 4.0) Cropped from original.

The massacre of fifty people at prayer in two Christchurch mosques has brought unparalleled responses on

both mainstream and social media in New Zealand and Australia. Shock, outrage and sadness have been followed by a great deal of debate about the perpetrator and the causes of this kind of hate crime.

New Zealand grieves

NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has received accolades for her role after the shootings, which took place on Friday, 15 March 2019. She is seen as a unifying leader for the compassion she has shown and her swift action on gun laws. Kiwi journalist David Farrier acknowledged on Twitter:

incredibly heartened by @jacindaardern’s leadership in new zealand. from leading the charge on tightening our gun laws, to her empathy and compassion – thank you

— David Farrier (@davidfarrier) March 19, 2019

Ardern has also taken a strong positionabout the man who has been charged:

He is a terrorist. He is a criminal. He is an extremist. But he will, when I speak, be nameless. And to others, I implore you: speak the names of those who were lost rather than the name of the man who took them. He may have sought notoriety but we, in New Zealand, will give nothing — not even his name.

The alleged gunman is an Australian citizen.

The NZ government has called an inquiry into the attack. Many Kiwis have questioned their authorities’ inability to detect or curtail the growth of right wing extremists such as white supremacists. News that the Security Intelligence Agency has not finished its plan to combat far-right extremism has reinforced their views.

Media under the microscope

There has been considerable criticism of the role of mainstream media both before and after the horrific events. Many believe that some sections have been complicit by fostering a climate of fear towards Muslim immigrants:

what can be done about everyday torrent of racism from MSM –print, broadcast & digital. Some of our best-paid, high-profile media personalities are up to their necks in it with fulsome support of their producers & editors & have been for years #auspolhttps://t.co/YPmaVBv63M

— Denise Shrivell (@deniseshrivell) March 19, 2019

The televising of parts of the killer’s livestream video plus the publishing of quotes from his so-called manifesto has also brought widespread condemnation.