Assange's Legal Battles
The case of perfectly illustrates the incredibly detrimental effect of the growing overlap between journalism and entertainment. The Assange case offers a perfect example of this overlap; a journalist who merely published information obtained by others is vilified by the most powerful government in the world and the media is happy to participate. The way in which Assanage was expelled from the Ecuadorian embassy in London; with UK security personnel waiting until media was present to capture images of a dis-shelved Assanage, shows how powerful governments will utilize the media's desire for views and ratings to suppress some of the most fundamental principles of our American system, like freedom of speech and freedom of the press. This attempt by the UK government was deliberately designed to intimate any future whistleblowers and make an example out of Assanage in the interest of deterring not only future whistleblowers but those who publish their information from doing so. Daniel Ellisberg agrees with this perspective. Ellisberg explains the severity of this threat quite eloquently: “The First Amendment is a pillar of our democracy and this is an assault on it. If freedom of speech is violated to this extent, our republic is in danger. Unauthorized disclosures are the lifeblood of the republic.”
As Americans, we all benefit from a system of freedom. Freedom of press, religion, speech and commerce enable us to pursue our dreams and fulfill our highest potential. Becoming known worldwide as the American Dream, this system has fueled the dreams of immigrants for generations. As benefactors of such a system, we as Americans have a moral and legal duty to ensure that these freedoms are applicable to everyone, even those who expose the abuses of our government.
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