Julian Assange is being trashed right and left.
Imagine, however, what would have happened had he disclosed confidential documents of, let's say, the Iranian or Chinese governments.
The same people who are vilifying him now would be lauding him as a hero, a courageous man, and an intrepid champion of free speech and liberty.
If the affected governments threatened Assange, our diplomats would lecture them at length on the Western virtues of openness, transparency and freedom of speech. They would warn them in most stern terms not to lay a hand on the man.
There would also be numerous calls for awarding Assange the Nobel Prize.
Why, then, do so many of us want to see him dead now?
Are openness, transparency and freedom of speech only one way street? Do they only apply when they are convenient or only to those whom we dislike?
No comments:
Post a Comment