Livestreaming an execution could lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among viewers, according to mental health experts. This warning comes after the announcement by Pete Hegseth, the US Defence Secretary, regarding the public execution of Nidal Hasan, a former army psychiatrist who killed 13 unarmed soldiers at Fort Hood in 2009.
Execution Details
On December 3, Hasan is set to be executed by firing squad, marking what is believed to be the first public execution in the US in nearly a century. Hegseth stated, "It was a radical Islamist attack in uniform inside the ranks, and so he’s going to get a firing squad of soldiers, as it should be, and we’ll make sure that people are able to watch it, that it’s public, because people need to understand there are serious consequences for these types of things."
Mental Health Concerns
Experts have raised concerns about the potential psychological impact on viewers. Dr. Simon Duff, a forensic psychologist at the University of Nottingham, noted that while research on the effects of watching executions is limited, studies on journalists who witness violence indicate a risk of trauma responses. He stated:
“"Certainly if people are not resilient they probably shouldn’t [watch], but if they have some underlying psychological driver towards viewing an execution they will likely do so regardless of the potential for harm."
