Julian Assange Admits to “Guilty” of Journalism in First Public Appearance Post-Release

Julian Assange, the controversial creator of WikiLeaks, made his first public speech on October 1, 2024, after his release from a UK prison in June. Speaking at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France, Assange discussed his challenging legal journey and reiterated his belief in the crucial role of journalism in uncovering corruption and holding governments accountable.

Assange started by looking back on the ten years of legal battles that have shaped his life. “I am not free today because the system worked,” he informed lawmakers. “I am free today after years of incarceration because I confessed to practicing journalism.” Assange emphasized that his time behind bars and legal struggles were a consequence of his pursuit of information, stating, “I admitted to seeking information from a source, admitting to obtaining information from a source, and admitting to informing the public about that information”.

Breaking: The Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly has voted to confirm that Julian Assange was held as a political prisoner. pic.twitter.com/UkHdmD1aI5

— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) October 2, 2024

Assange’s release in June 2024 followed years of high-profile legal battles. Most notably, he faced charges under the U.S. Espionage Act for releasing classified military documents that exposed U.S. actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, sparking debate about alleged war crimes by American forces. This leak, one of the largest in U.S. military history, placed Assange at the center of international controversy​.

In his address, Assange depicted his plea deal with U.S. prosecutors as a somber necessity. The deal led to his release after more than a decade of confinement, including years of self-imposed exile in Ecuador’s London embassy, followed by arrest and detention at the UK’s maximum-security Belmarsh prison. Although the deal allowed him to return to his native Australia, Assange expressed a deep sense of injustice over the outcome. He lamented that he would never have the chance to challenge the U.S. espionage allegations in court, effectively denying him the opportunity to defend his actions entirely​.

NEW: Julian Assange just exposed the CIA in his first public hearing since his release. He says that they tried to assassinate him within the embassy, tried to attain DNA from his sixth-month-old son, had a CIA asset permanently track his wife, and attempted to hack and plant… pic.twitter.com/VWCNwPIR1Q

— Green Lives Matter (@Ultrafrog17) October 1, 2024

Assange’s release received extensive attention. His wife, Stella, who had long campaigned for his freedom, had previously mentioned that he would require time to recover physically and mentally from his years in solitary confinement. During his speech, Assange hinted at the toll this period had taken on him, noting that he was still dealing with the effects of his extended imprisonment. “Isolation has taken its toll which I am trying to unwind,” he stated, reflecting on his years fighting extradition​.

Assange also addressed wider topics of whistleblower protection and the press’s role in holding governments accountable. He emphasized that his pursuit of truth through journalism led to his current situation but also sparked significant global discussions on the importance of press freedom. Founded in 2006, WikiLeaks gained international fame in 2010 when it published numerous classified U.S. military documents, shedding light on U.S. military actions and diplomatic endeavors​.

Assange’s story has ignited debates on the boundaries of press freedom and government transparency. While some see him as a champion of free speech and a protector of the public’s right to information, others view him as a criminal who jeopardized lives through the reckless release of classified information. U.S. authorities, in particular, have claimed that his disclosures put soldiers and diplomats at risk, while Assange and his supporters argue that his actions served the public interest.

Looking forward, Assange stated that his appearance at the Strasbourg hearing marked the initial step in his campaign to raise awareness about the necessity of safeguarding whistleblowers and journalists. Despite realizing that his personal legal battles may never be fully resolved, he expressed hope that his case could spur broader reforms to ensure that individuals who expose government misconduct are shielded, not prosecuted​.