OPINION:
The case against Julian Assange is a threat to the First Amendment’s press-freedom protections (“New York Times, other newspapers pen open letter calling on feds to stop prosecution of Assange,” Web, Nov. 29). Prosecuting Mr. Assange for news gathering or publishing sets a precedent that can be used against all media outlets. This would criminalize standard journalistic practices.
Media outlets need to join together to defend the right to publish. Major outlets like The New York Times, Der Spiegel, Le Monde, El Pais and The Guardian have spoken up, saying “Publishing is not a crime.” They have been joined by a wide array of human rights, press-freedom and civil liberties groups that have condemned Mr. Assange’s prosecution. We need all press outlets to speak up in defense of the First Amendment.
If we kill the messenger, we avoid the truth. Mr. Assange published truthful information in the public interest. If we want to avoid more tragedies and more stupid wars, we shouldn’t persecute journalists who seek to shine light on government misdeeds.
BRANT GROFF
Ronks, Pennsylvania
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