Julian Assange verdict: Good day for human rights, bad day for journalism

Renata Avila talks about the verdict in the Julian Assange extradition trial. She says that while it was historic in being the first positive verdict from UK courts in 10 years, the implications for journalism are dangerous due to the statements the judge made

January 05, 2021 by Peoples Dispatch

The US plea to extradite Julian Assange was turned down on January 4. The judge accepted most of the prosecution’s arguments but rejected the extradition plea on account of the risk of suicide by Assange. Renata Avila, a lawyer and legal advisor to Assange, explains that while this was historic in being the first positive verdict in a decade from UK courts, the implications for journalism and freedom of speech are dangerous.