maandag 31 januari 2011

WikiLeaks 57


Watch: Julian Assange Aces Antagonistic 60 Minutes Interview

Julian Assange appeared on 60 Minutes last night in his longest televised interview since being placed on house arrest in England. Assange was actually far calmer than in previous appearances, despite the fact that interviewer Steve Kroft seemed to have it out for him, asking a barrage of questions that have been systematically debunked, and taking on an antagonistic tone that suggested Kroft believes Assange is doing something illegal, despite the contrary. To be fair, though, Kroft did a relatively good job of addressing the first amendment issues, explaining simply how if the government attempts to prosecute WikiLeaks, they may as well go ahead and prosecute the New York Times.Notably, Assange declined to address the Swedish rape allegations under the advice of his lawyer, though CBS did emphasize he has not been charged. Once again, he cited the big bank reveal and the suicide-option should the site be shut down, but declined to elaborate.
One of the most interesting aspects of the interview: behind-the-scenes shots of Assange and colleagues, mundanely sitting around a kitchen table on laptops that presumably contain some of the most explosive secrets on earth. WikiLeakers: they're just like us!
Check it out here. [Warning: includes requisite rote footage of Assange and Kroft walking around his pastoral prison-estate in conversation.]


By Julianne Escobedo Shepherd | Sourced from AlterNet 

Posted at January 31, 2011, 6:24 am

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