Julian Assange’s Plea: A Stand for Press Freedom
In his first public remarks since being released from prison in June 2024, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange revealed that he pleaded “guilty to journalism” in order to secure his freedom. Speaking at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg,
Assange stated that after years of detention and facing a potential 175-year sentence, he chose “freedom over unrealizable justice.”
He highlighted the challenges of his long legal battle, emphasizing that his conviction stemmed from his work as a journalist, including publishing classified U.S. military documents related to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Assange noted that his plea deal allowed him to avoid extradition to the U.S., but it came at the cost of never being able to fully defend his actions in court.
Assange’s remarks focused on the broader implications for press freedom and whistleblowing, warning that his case sets a dangerous precedent for journalists worldwide.