Assange was never a journalist, just a criminal hacker. Yes, he exposed a war crime, but, is guilty of contravening the official secrets act of an ally and putting many people in harm's way/jeopardy. Some of whom may have already paid with their lives or liberty.

What happens to him will in no way affect genuine, bona fide journalists and the freedom of the press. To try and make a martyr of this bail jumping criminal and accused rapist, is a bridge to far and risible.

Bah humbug, bird's fur and horse feathers.
Alan B.

Don't blame the messenger?
It was the government which started the process.
It was the government which created a situation where there was potential 'danger' for its agents.
Without the government acting in such an immoral way, there would be nothing for Mr Assange to expose?

Every government has official secrets. Had Assange exposed Russian/Chinese/Turkish military secrets, he would now be on the wrong side of the grass and pushing up daises.

I'm not sure if there is any moral government anywhere, or moral pollies. Nonetheless, military secrets are the price we now pay for our continuing freedom and liberty.

It remains a crime to breach the official secrets act, and Assange knew that full well. Before one take almost any action that has known consequences, one necessarily has to accept those outcomes.

In some cases, one has to accept death as the possible outcome for one's actions.
Alan B.

As for the sexual assault allegations Alan, remember how Jules suggested they were CIA agents plotting to get him to Sweden so the US could extradite him more easily? It turns out that that was yet another one of Jules' bs stories as a condition of extradition to Sweden by the UK courts is that they also must give approval if the person is later subjected to extradition proceedings from another country.

I think that being in the Family piqued Jules' interest in cults and manipulating people. He certainly has the personality for it.

It is more serious than we all think.
Our whole school curriculum will have to be reorganised to initially
at least teach our children about US law as well as Australian law.
It now seems that US law applies to Britain and Australia.
Does US law apply to all countries with British based legal systems ?
India for example has a Westminister system.
How many countries have extradition treaties with the US.