To whom it may concern,

I would like to bring an issue to your attention that is very troubling to me as it involves freedom of expression, the internet, and a curious application of electronic media distribution laws.

The background of this case can be viewed here in this video:

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a77_1228162261

In summary, a member of Liveleak.com, who goes by the nickname of “Biggles9”, was arrested and charged with receiving and uploading child abuse material (a video) as it applies under Australian law. This video depicts a father playfully, but somewhat vigorously swinging an infant around a room in what appears to be an acrobatic routine. I would like to point out that there was nothing remotely sexual or violent about this video, but merely a father swinging his baby by the arms, sometimes way over his head. It does look disturbing however.

It seems that Biggles9 was arrested for merely finding this media somewhere on the internet, and uploading it as shared media on Liveleak,com. He did not have any hand in producing it and it passed the rather stringent approval process that LiveLeak.com uses to insure that illegal and pornographic material IS NOT approved for public viewing. They have an extensive narrative on these terms here:

http://www.liveleak.com/faq

Additionally, this video was widely distributed across the internet, as well as being a subject of reports on network television media, yet a private individual in a country far away from the source is being charged with a crime related to its contents.

Make no mistake, genuinely illegal child porn or child abuse material should be banned and distributors of such should be held accountable to the highest level of the law, but this material did not remotely approach that level.

I find this extremely unjust, and bordering on an Orwellian type of police state mentality where people are literally dragged from their house on rumors that they might have committed a crime. Had the Australian authorities done some due diligence in researching the source and nature of the video, or even if it is real and not a well done fake, you would not be reading this e-mail, or the many others you are likely receiving.

My only request after all of this, it to put this story in front of the court of public opinion and generate some dialog regarding the future of internet freedom and responsible actions of the people we pay to protect us.

Sincerely,