Julian Assange’s Extradition Trial and the War on Journalism

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s legal team called their last witness in the extradition trial, which has unfolded over the past four weeks at the Old Bailey Courthouse in London. The defense and prosecution will file closing submissions to the magistrate court, and a decision on extradition is expected in January 4, 2021.

Throughout the extradition trial, independent media have led the way in defying a blackout by corporate media institutions around the world. They have worked to focus on the substance of testimony from witnesses instead of trivial moments that establishment reporters have turned into sensational clickbait headlines that distract from what is at stake for global press freedom.

On October 3, journalists from independent or alternative media, who were credentialed by the court, came together to highlight crucial developments during the extradition trial. They outlined some of the most effective testimony and also discussed some of the obstacles, which Assange’s legal team faced in convincing a judge to reject the United States government’s extradition request.

Panel
Mohamed Elmaazi, Sputnik

Tareq Haddad, London-based independent reporter

Mary Kostakidis, Sydney-based journalist

Taylor Hudak, acTVism Munich

Joe Lauria and Cathy Vogan, Consortium News

Richard Medhurst, independent journalist

Moderated By
Kevin Gosztola, Shadowproof

Juan Passarelli, filmmaker

(***NOTE: At the 21:18 mark, video drops and resumes at 23:22 due to a technical hiccup that occurred.***)