(PatriotNews.net) – US Representatives urge President Biden to pardon Julian Assange to safeguard press freedom and prevent further erosion of journalistic liberties.
At a Glance
- Representatives Thomas Massie and James McGovern call for Biden to pardon Assange.
- Assange’s 2019 indictment was for publishing classified documents revealing US war crimes.
- Assange was released under a plea deal after over five years in Belmarsh Prison.
- Case against Assange is the first Espionage Act charge against a publisher.
- Concern over legal precedent threatening journalistic practices.
Protecting Journalistic Freedom
US Representatives Thomas Massie and James McGovern have taken a bold step in defense of journalistic freedom by urging President Biden to pardon Julian Assange. The WikiLeaks founder’s indictment in 2019 for exposing US war crimes is seen as a grave attack against the press. The call for pardon emphasizes the infringement on press liberty, alarming many about turning away from democratic values.
Assange’s plea deal required him to admit guilt under the Espionage Act, setting a harmful precedent for publishers globally. The representatives argue that the sentence conspicuously threatens journalistic practices, particularly those involving national security reporting. A plea agreement freed Assange from Belmarsh Prison but ended hopes for a simple, untainted fight for justice for many supporters.
Reps McGovern, Massie urge Biden to pardon Julian Assange to 'send a clear message' on press freedom @FoxNews https://t.co/O9G3qwMJEb
U.S. Reps. James McGovern, D-Mass., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., wrote a letter to President Biden calling on him to pardon WikiLeaks founder…
— Landon Mion (@landon_mion) November 27, 2024
Legal Precedent Concerns
Massie and McGovern highlight that this is the first instance of the Espionage Act being leveraged against a publisher, raising alarm bells among press freedom advocates.
Jodie Ginsberg from the Committee to Protect Journalists warns, “the US’s pursuit of Assange has set a harmful legal precedent.” Similar concerns echo through the media fraternity where prosecutorial overreach threatens democracy.
Pardoning Assange would remove these threads to free press practices, standing as a testament to Biden’s commitment to democracy and press liberty. These lawmakers are convinced of the vital need to reverse protective hindrances and ensure that journalism isn’t criminalized.
US lawmakers urge Biden to pardon Assange
Congressmen James McGovern and Thomas Massie want the White House to 'send a clear message that the US government under your leadership will not target or investigate journalists and media outlets simply for doing their jobs' pic.twitter.com/izqLJ5WDSl
— RT (@RT_com) November 27, 2024
Future of Press Freedom
Facing a potential 175-year imprisonment for Assange is a stark reminder of the stakes at play. Assange’s request for a pardon reflects a need to dismantle the dangerous precedent his case sets. Such advocacy also extends to the Australian Prime Minister, who’s urged by lawmakers to emphasize Assange’s wrongdoing resolution in exchanges with President Biden. A concerted effort among global leaders for a pardon would affix a stance to uphold constitutional values and protect journalists in truth’s pursuit.
As efforts intensify, it remains to be seen if Biden will seize this opportunity to repair America’s commitment to foundational press rights. It’s a decision that could echo through the corridors of free press history, solidifying the strength of the Fourth Estate.
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