Reddit closes channels after sharing images of attack in New Zealand

Reddit has shut down two channels after the recent attacks on two mosques in New Zealand. Images of the attack recorded by one of the gunmen were shared in the relevant channels.

This concerns the channels r/WatchPeopleDie and r/Gore. Those who try to access the channels now will see a message that the channels have been closed by the administrators of Reddit for violating the content policy, specifically in the field of glorifying or encouraging violence.

A Washington Post reporter posted a copy online from a comment from a moderator of one of the channels, announcing that the links to the video would not be removed “until someone censors us”. So it seems that Reddit itself has now complied.

Dozens of people were killed in the attack on two mosques in New Zealand. One of the gunmen made images of the attack himself, via a live stream on Facebook, which were then shared on social media. Major tech companies such as Google and Facebook were criticized for the slow action, but now the videos are no longer so easily found.