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Winston Peter says social media is 'out of hand' following deadly Christchurch attack

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Sat, 16 Mar 2019, 8:40AM
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.

Winston Peter says social media is 'out of hand' following deadly Christchurch attack

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Sat, 16 Mar 2019, 8:40AM

Winston Peters says we need to readjust the way we think about social media because it is "out of hand".

This follows the deadly attack in Christchurch. At least 49 people were killed, and a further 48 injured, after gunmen opened fire at the Masjid Al Noor and Linwood Masjid, with a livestream of the horrific massacre being broadcast on the internet via a camera on one of the gunmen's helmets

Winston Peters told Mike Hosking there are hundreds of people of that type spreading that sort of message on cyberspace, so it's difficult to sort out if one is going to act.

He said it's an environment where there's been no attempt internationally to contain that sort of vicious comment.

"We have got to re-think about social media of this type as well, it has just got so far out of had and in the hands of the wrong mind it is devastating."

The Deputy Prime Minister also said "there is no doubt" that New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to security.

"We have got to re-think about social media of this type as well, it has just got so far out of had and in the hands of the wrong mind it is devastating."

He said regional airport screening is also something we need to look into.

The government is working hard to fill in the "blank spots", he said.

"The question is was he on our radar? Well, I can't answer that question but one could have a pretty good view that he was not, but was he on anyone else's radar, that's what we have to find out."

When asked why security analyst, Paul Buchanan, said he was known when the government didn't, Peters said there are hundreds of people that need to be sorted through.

"There are hundreds of hundreds of people of that type, spreading that sort message in cyberspace, so the difficulty is sorting out which one will do that [attack a mosque]."

"Mr Buchanan did not know about this man any more than others knew about this man."

He said he has received a lot of international messages of support.

"They have been very, very supportive, offering help in any way they can."

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