I think that US media has given the word whistleblower a bad connotation. Obviously our modern society doesn’t support people who speak out about government or big business. People who do so have been called un-American. I find that statement to be hypocritical. Julain Assange did a great job explaining that what he is doing is as American as Apple Pie.

I liked it when Juian said “It’s not about saving the whales. It’s about giving people the information they need to support whaling or not support whaling. Why, it is the raw ingredients that is needed to make adjustments in our society and without that you’re just sailing in the dark.”

Both Julian Assange and whole idea of WikiLeaks is polarized by two drastic versions and sides. These sides almost mimic what is happening politically in the US. A vision of Activist vs. Terrorist.

I loved his response to ‘You seem to enjoy stirring things up’.
“When you see abusive organizations suffer the consequences as a result of their abuse, and you see victims elevated. Yes, that’s a very pleasurable activity to be involved in.”

What I found interesting is that Julian said that the world leaders don’t see Wikileaks as a threat but more as an embarrassment, and I find that to be mostly true. Now I won't argue about levels of documents that claim they are a National Security risk and a danger to governments, but it's the holding of everything accountable that I myself believe in.

He does a decent job of defending his journalistic rights, and this new arena of global information and internet access is not over. We all should be watching this subject closely since I think in the near future our ability to see more than just a mass media perspective of the world, may be opening wider or closed completely with a new set of blinders.

Reminds me of the movie Nothing But the Truth, in which a Journalist faces jail sentences for outing a CIA agent and refusing to give up her source. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1073241/

As for the interview, I think he did well, but unfortunately I don't think it will help his case much. Most powerful people do not like him, and can smear him in the media all they want, even if it isn't necessarily true. This leads to the Average Joe or Jane getting the impression that what he is doing is hurting the "good guys" and helping the "bad guys". Hopefully people will watch this interview and get his story, what he's trying to accomplish, and push for his release. Hopefully this man doesn't have to suffer for being a true journalist, something we're lacking in the world today. No twists, no spin, just the facts!

First amendment for the win!

I think he came across well. It's the first proper interview lasting more than a few minutes that I have seen him take part in. For the most part he explained Wikileaks and the reasons he does what does well, and I think he made it clear that he is not a terrorist or criminal. He is trying to expose abuses of power in a responsible manner.

It is to bad if most don't recognize a patriot when they see one. Julian is exercising the freedom of the press and he has the courage to do it out in the open. There is no "deep throat" insider here. Julian is not leaking state secrets or classified materials. Everything has been above board and open to freedom of information. Whales or Washington or war, all should and need to be closely examined by all and Julian is allowing us that pleasure without all the work. Keep up the good work.