Dear Sir/Madam
Offensive Comment posted by Jason Pickett 20 May 2005
We act for the Commonwealth of Australia represented by Centrelink.
We have been instructed by our client to write to you about a comment posted by Mr Jason Pickett on your website and located at
http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=10581.
We understand that your website aims to provide an open-publishing newswire and website to the public.
We appreciate that your website provides a forum for media makers who are members of disempowered or marginalised
groups to report on news items important to them; to exercise freedom of speech; and to protect individuals' right of
expression.
In order to maintain the integrity and quality of your website, we understand you have developed an Editorial Policy
located at
http://perth.indymedia.org/index.php?action=wiki&page=ed%20policy.
We have reviewed the Perth Indymedia Editorial Policy and wish to raise a few concerns with you arising out of the comment posted by Mr Pickett.
We note that under the heading Notifiable Removals in your Editorial Policy, posts violating the following point
(among other points) are subject to notifiable removal:
* Posts which use language, imagery, or other forms of communication to promote racism, fascism, xenophobia,
homophobia, sexism etc., or any other form of discrimination.
We understand Mr Pickett's comment is accompanied by two images that are fashioned in the shape of Nazi Swastikas.
The image of most concern is the Centrelink logo that has been reworked to resemble a Swastika, thereby making
the suggestion that Centrelink is associated with or supports the practices and objectives of the Nazi regime.
Centrelink is a service delivery agency of the Commonwealth of Australia established under the Commonwealth
Services Delivery Agency Act 1997.
Centrelink is not and never has been associated with the Nazi regime or fascist ideology; therefore, in accordance
with your Editorial Policy we request that this image is removed from Mr Pickett's comment.
Further, Mr Pickett's comment also provides a link to a website located at www.centreflunk.com (Centreflunk).
Our client is concerned that by providing a link to the Centreflunk website, Mr Pickett's comment is contrary to
two other points described under Notifiable Removals in your Editorial Policy, that is:
* Posts which publish identifying information without the individual's knowledge or consent.
Note: The Editorial collective may choose to delete posts which publish personal identifying information without the
individual's knowledge or consent.
* Abuse of others in the form of personal attacks.
Indymedia is not a space for people to play out personal vendettas.
The Centreflunk website has published the names and contact details of a number of individuals employed by Centrelink,
without the knowledge or consent of those individuals.
This identifying information is not generally available to the public. The website also contains examples of threats made
by Mr Pickett against individuals employed by Centrelink.
These are personal attacks that have been made repeatedly by Mr Pickett against the individuals named by Mr Pickett on
the Centreflunk website.
Therefore, we also request that the link to the Centreflunk website is removed from Mr Pickett's comment.
We understand from your Editorial Policy that you strive to make decisions in the most democratic, transparent and
accountable manner.
Therefore, if you have any questions or comments or if we can assist you in any way in attending to our requests,
please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours faithfully
Michael Will
Partner
(02) 6263 6349
michael.will@sparke.com.au 