What do you get when two politicians from opposite sides unite for a cause? A fierce push for a presidential pardon and a big stand for press freedom!
At a Glance
- Reps. James McGovern and Thomas Massie are urging President Biden to pardon Julian Assange in a bid to protect journalism.
- Julian Assange averted extradition with a plea deal, returning to Australia after serving time for his role in WikiLeaks.
- Debates rage on the effects of the Espionage Act on journalism, with calls for a presidential pardon to safeguard press freedom.
- Former Obama administration avoided prosecuting Assange to protect major journalists from similar charges.
Bipartisan Effort to Secure Pardon
Representatives James McGovern and Thomas Massie have united in an appeal to President Biden, urging him to make a bold statement for press freedom by pardoning Julian Assange. This move seeks to reinforce the administration’s commitment to the protection of journalistic endeavors, following a tumultuous legal battle.
Assange, an Australian publisher, previously faced extradition to the United States under espionage allegations for the infamous 2010 WikiLeaks release of classified military documents. The ongoing legal tug-of-war saw its conclusion with Assange pleading guilty and receiving a sentence of time served, thereby avoiding further detention in the United States. This outcome allowed Assange to return to Australia, ending a years-long saga.
BREAKING: U.S. Lawmakers @RepMcGovern @RepThomasMassie call on President Biden to Pardon Julian Assange.
Sign the open letter⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ZbmziZDuRZ
— Gabriel Shipton (@GabrielShipton) November 27, 2024
The Espionage Act Under Scrutiny
The Assange case ignited fervent debate over the potential use and abuse of the Espionage Act, especially concerning journalistic practice. Assange was notably the first journalist to be charged under this act, and critics contend that the legislation poses a threat to transparency and press freedom, and has been utilized to intimidate and suppress reporting on sensitive national security topics.
“Put simply, there is a long-standing and well-grounded concern that section 793, which criminalizes the obtaining, retaining, or disclosing of sensitive information, could be used against journalists and news organizations engaged in their normal activities, particularly those who cover national security topics. This risk reportedly informed the Obama administration’s decision not to prosecute Mr. Assange,” Reps. McGovern (D-Mass) and Thomas Massie ( R-Ky), stated.
The situation prompted arguments that a presidential pardon would thwart an emerging precedent of targeting journalists. Such an act would signify an essential protection mechanism, ensuring the right to disseminate information without looming governmental retribution.
Reps McGovern, Massie urge Biden to pardon Julian Assange to 'send a clear message' on press freedom https://t.co/zvwgw2VgFS
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 27, 2024
Call for Reaffirmation of Press Freedom
As Assange’s family and supporters rally to secure a pardon before President Biden’s term concludes, the stakes are high. A U.S. judge highlighted the absence of evidence that WikiLeaks’ disclosures posed tangible harm, further fueling arguments for clemency.
“While we welcome the end of his detention, the US’s pursuit of Assange has set a harmful legal precedent by opening the way for journalists to be tried under the Espionage Act if they receive classified material from whistleblowers,” Committee to Protect Journalists CEO Jodie Ginsberg said.
