Assange is a complicated figure personally and historically. And he evokes pretty strong reactions on both sides. Mostly though we don’t think about him at all. With the exception of occasional reports whenever there’s an update on his charges or extradition attempts, Assange has been sort of back burnered. Considering the stakes at play for the U.S. media, this should be surprising or even troubling. Today we’re going to review the story of WikiLeaks and put the debate over the fate of Assange in the only context it should be - to answer the question of just how serious we are about our concept of democracy, free speech and the role of the fourth estate.

Pod Love

Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill- Joe Biden's War Powers: https://spoti.fi/3hb95oM

Media Roots Radio with Abby & Robbie Martin- Assange Trial: Torture, Trumped Up Charges & A Warning to Us All w/ Kevin Gosztola: https://spoti.fi/3f4bMGg

News Beat- Chelsea Manning: Collateral Murder Cover-Up: https://spoti.fi/3nVIEVu

News Beat- Espionage Act & The Battle For The Free Press: https://spoti.fi/2R6rt7E

Book Love

Glenn Greenwald- No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State: https://bookshop.org/a/23377/9781250062581

Tariq Ali + Margaret Kunstler- In Defense of Julian Assange: https://bookshop.org/a/23377/9781682192214

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