The Christchurch massacre and the rise of right-wing extremism Four Corners (2019)

On 15 March 2019, an Australian extremist carried out coordinated terrorist attacks at the Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand, killing 51 people and injuring dozens more during Friday prayers. The attacks were carefully planned and deliberately publicized through the use of online platforms, where the offender distributed an extremist manifesto and livestreamed part of the violence in an effort to spread fear and inspire others. The attacks prompted one of the largest criminal investigations in New Zealand's history and led to significant changes in the country's firearms legislation and counterterrorism policies.

Through investigative journalism, court records, interviews with survivors, law enforcement officials, researchers, and experts on violent extremism, the documentary examines the offender's radicalization, the planning of the attacks, the emergency response, and the investigation that brought the case to a close. It also explores the role of online extremist networks, the challenges of identifying individuals who become radicalized, and the lasting impact of the Christchurch attacks on victims' families, Muslim communities, public policy, and international efforts to combat politically motivated violent extremism.