In a surprising turn of events, Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has been released after pleading guilty to obtaining and disclosing classified government documents in a US court in Saipan. This resolution comes after 12 years, with Assange serving 62 months in prison, already completed. The close of this legal battle also marks the end of a rape case against Assange in Sweden in 2019, allowing him to return home to Australia.
Although supporters are celebrating his release, the guilty plea under the Espionage Act raises concerns about press freedom. The Espionage Act, adopted in 1917 in the US, has been criticized for its broad application, leading to debates about its impact on journalism and freedom of expression.
A controversial law
The Espionage Act’s history of targeting whistleblowers and journalists has sparked debates about government transparency and the role of the press in informing the public. Critics argue that the law’s application lacks nuance, potentially infringing on press freedom.