Daniel Ellsberg on Julian Assange’s Espionage Charges: It Cuts Out The First Amendment, Essentially! + Chelsea Manning Back in Prison (Updated)

Screenshot by Dandelion Salad via Flickr
Watch the videos below

Dandelion Salad

Updated: May 24, 2019

TheRealNews on May 23, 2019

The US Department of Justice issued an 18-count indictment against Julian Assange for violating the 1917 Espionage Act. We speak to Daniel Ellsberg about the dangerous implications this move has for journalism in the United States.

Transcript

Daniel Ellsberg: “Every journalist in the country now knows for the first time that she or he is subject to prosecution for doing their job as journalists. It cuts out the First Amendment, essentially. That eliminates the First Amendment freedom of the press, which is the cornerstone of our American democracy and of this republic.”

[…]

“These indictments are unprecedented. And I would say they are blatantly unconstitutional, in my opinion. Which is not worth that much, except it’s a subject I’ve been close to for a long time. This is an impeachable offense, to carry on a prosecution this blatantly in violation of the Constitution, which the president and the attorney general are sworn to uphold. They are not doing that at this moment.”

Chelsea Manning Back in Prison After Refusing to Testify

TheRealNews on May 16, 2019

Freed eight days ago, Manning was subpoenaed before a new grand jury investigating Assange. Despite grave danger to her health, she refused to testify, saying she would rather die in prison than change her principles.

Transcript

Updated: May 24, 2019

What Assange indictment means for press freedom

RT America on May 24, 2019

Since the DOJ has indicted WikiLeaks founder and journalist Julian Assange with 17 more charges under the Espionage Act, many activists are worried about what this means for press freedoms. Former Professor of Journalism at Woodbury University Lyle Slack join In Question to discuss what this means.

US declares ‘war on journalism,’ slaps Assange with 17 new charges

RT America on May 24, 2019

After WikiLeaks founder and journalist Julian Assange was slapped with 17 new charges by the DOJ, media freedom groups are ringing the alarm. Many argue that this could set a precedent where a journalist could be criminally prosecuted for publishing truthful information. Activists are now considering this a war on journalism. RT’s Sara Montes de Oca discusses the story.

Up to 175 yrs in prison: US slaps Assange with 17 more charges under Espionage Act

RT on May 24, 2019

A federal grand jury has announced 17 additional charges under the Espionage Act against WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange, who is currently in a UK jail awaiting an extradition hearing.

As Trump Threatens Iran With War, Espionage Charges Against Assange Threaten Journalists

TheRealNews on May 24, 2019

The Espionage Act removes the possibility of a public interest defense for Julian Assange, and sends a chilling message to journalists and whistleblowers.

Transcript

See also:

Assange Espionage Indictment with Daniel Ellsberg and Chris Hedges (audio interview)

From the archives:

Julian Assange US Extradition Hearing: It Raises Massive Concerns About Free Speech + Imperialism on Trial: Free Assange

Avoiding Assange by Jim Kavanagh

Chris Hedges: From the Bolivarian Revolution and Hugo Chavez to US sanctions and the Overt Attempt to Overthrow Venezuela

John Pilger: This Is An Assault On Journalism and Citizenship + Assange’s Arrest Is A Message To Journalists All Over The World

10 Reasons Assange Should Walk Free by David Swanson + Daniel Ellsberg On Assange’s Arrest: The Beginning of the End For Press Freedom

Julian Assange Arrested + Wikileaks Claims Discovery of Extensive Spying Operation Against Assange

Chelsea Manning Jailed for Refusing to Cooperate with Wikileaks Grand Jury + Activists Attempt To Visit Chelsea Manning

John Pilger: The Prisoner Says No To Big Brother + Transcript