Explicit video of Charlie Kirk shooting going viral shows how media’s gatekeeper role has changed

Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist, was shot during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon. Shortly after the incident, explicit footage of the shooting surfaced on social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube. This footage was widely accessible and autoplayed in users’ feeds, causing some to view it without prior warning. Traditional media outlets opted for caution, choosing not to broadcast the moment of the shooting but instead showing footage of Kirk interacting with the audience before the incident.

The rapid spread of the footage highlighted the challenges faced by social media in regulating graphic content. Multiple angles of the shooting were posted quickly, often accompanied by slow-motion clips. Users expressed frustration over the inability to avoid seeing the video and many called for others to refrain from sharing it. YouTube announced it would remove some graphic content related to the incident and impose age restrictions on certain videos.

This occurrence has raised questions about how social media platforms manage explicit content and the implications for public discourse and emotional well-being following violent incidents.