Today marks the commencement of the latest attempt in British courts to halt the extradition of Julian Assange to the USA. If accepted, the appeal will proceed to the British supreme court; otherwise, there is a real possibility that Assange will be extradited, facing the threat of up to 175 years in prison in the USA for free speech and independent journalism.
Julian Assange has been confined in a maximum security prison in London since he was forcefully captured from the Ecuadorian embassy in 2019, where he was besieged for seven years. It is crucial to emphasize that Assange is a journalist who has operated within the bounds of his profession. Stikado firmly considers that the case against Assange is politically motivated.
This case extends beyond the individual; it is a pivotal moment for press freedom. The ramifications of an eventual extradition would reverberate globally, affecting journalism as a whole. The act of publishing leaked classified information, as done by WikiLeaks, plays a vital role in facilitating grand-scale revelations by the media.
The Assange case has contributed to a chilling effect on journalism worldwide. The consequences faced by Assange for exposing US war crimes could deter others from similar courageous acts in the future.
The alleged crime did not occur on American soil, and Assange is not an American citizen. The implications of his extradition to the USA for reporting on potential future war crimes committed by the USA raise serious concerns about the freedom of the press globally.
Assange is a whistleblower, a journalist, and a publicist who should be protected under the umbrella of freedom of expression. The right to live in an enlightened society, to exist within a democracy where citizens are informed, must not be compromised. The persecution of Assange, spanning years of confinement and the looming threat of an extended prison sentence, is an attack on journalism and the freedom of speech.
Julian Assange deserves homage for his contributions to the pursuit of truth, not persecution. Stikado stands in defense of freedom of speech and the independent press.
