Should an Execution Be Live Streamed? Historian Carolyn Strange Tells Jeremy Cordeaux What History Says | Court of Public Opinion

 

Emeritus Professor Carolyn Strange from the ANU History Department joins Jeremy Cordeaux to discuss the planned live stream of a US military firing-squad execution, which has now been called off while the execution itself is set to proceed.

She explains how the power to take a life has always been tied to rulers, from Roman emperors to modern presidents, why the live stream plan echoes 19th century arguments that moved executions behind prison walls, what really happens with firing squad rounds, and why 200 US exonerations since 1976 matter in any debate about appeals and death row.

This interview aired live on The Court of Public Opinion on Friday 16 October 2026.

The Court of Public Opinion with Jeremy Cordeaux AM streams live every Friday from the dining room table at jeremycordeaux.com and via Auscast Radio at auscastnetwork.com. Download the podcast anytime on your favourite podcast app.