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Julian Assange

When the truth becomes threatening

JULIAN ASSANGE: Aftenposten had learned from Julian Assange and sucked what they could from his WikiLeaks data universe, and millions of secrets, before quickly throwing him under the bus. Assange created the whistleblowers' perpetuum mobile, WikiLeaks, an unlimited infinity machine of truth where truth whistleblowers all over the world were given the opportunity to reach out – and lift the blankets that hide the lies of power, their war crimes, corruption, tax fraud, hidden bank accounts, fortunes and conspiracies. What now?

Gaza: Right to defend itself?

AVERAGE: What about Gaza and the media? WikiLeaks was early on an important source for revelations about Israel. The dream of driving all non-Jews out of ancient Palestine governed Israel's policy long before there was a Hamas.

"You can end up with the only peace being the graveyard peace."

MODERN TIMES CONVERSATIONS: We talk to the former Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn, the man who could have become Prime Minister of Great Britain, about current issues – such as military rearmament, Ukraine, Israel, climate justice and work, security, democracy, citizens' councils, and not least a hope for the future.

Why do we need a peace party in Norway?

FOR: The left-wing parties have put aside international work, the press is a microphone stand for NATO, the peace movement has become toothless – and Norwegians are a nation of cold warriors. Therefore a new party is needed!

The Crucifixion of Julian Assange

JOURNALISM: In August, top American journalist Chris Hegdes visited Oslo to discuss Julian Assange's case. Assange has not only risked his career as a brilliant computer expert, but his entire life for the right to let the truth come out.

When states crush the truth

ADVERTISING: Leaked classified intelligence documents from the White House revealed in April that Ukraine was soon facing a dramatic defeat – quite different from the propaganda we had all long heard. In this essay, our regular writer, John Y. Jones, looks at the many sides of propaganda – as we are today increasingly surrounded by fake news, unsubstantiated claims and politically biased information.

Norway is trapped by US propaganda

PUBLIC: What we could previously describe as realpolitik possible is today not even possible to write about. Propaganda dominates the Norwegian public perhaps more than in any other country. The Norwegian authorities have been fooled around. The speech space has frozen.

Destructive criticism of Sweden

Assange: Bureaucratic co-criminals – this is how a new book by Nils Melzer describes Sweden's handling of Julian Assange. Swedish Stina Oscarson reviews – and is ashamed.

Save Assange, save democracy

FAIRNESS: While the US extradition request for Assange will be processed in another court round, Assange is still fighting a battle for democracy and journalistic integrity.

Julian Assange – a goldmine and a nightmare

BEFORE THE TRIAL 27 OCTOBER: The characteristics Karen Sharpe draws from Assange's work are that everything he brought forward should be open and verifiable, scientifically correct and reliable. But for power, Assange is dangerous – because he makes the whistleblowers dangerous.

The pandemic and its societal implications

COVID-19: In a newly published interview anthology about the pandemic, Roger Waters says that war and climate change are killing us faster than anything else, but the breathing pause that began in March 2020 may still open up other alternatives. At the same time, the entire anthology presupposes digital technology – for which we can all be grateful.

"Stink journalism" against whistleblowers

JOURNALISM: Professor Gisle Selnes writes that Harald Stanghelle's article in Aftenposten on 23 February 2020 "looks like a statement of support, [but] lies as a framework around the aggravated attack on Assange". He is right. But has Aftenposten always had this relationship with whistleblowers, as in the case of Edward Snowden?

About Assange, torture and punishment

Nils Melzer, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, says the following about Assange:

With spine and ethical compass intact

NOTICE We need a media culture and a society built on accountability and truth. We do not have that today.

Sweden and England were democracies

Notification:The treatment of Julian Assange is a legal disaster that began in Sweden and continued in the United Kingdom. If the United States manages to get Assange extradited, it could prevent the publication of information about the great power in the future.

Professor Mads Andenæs: "Assange is exposed to several human rights violations"

WEBINAR: Oxford professor Liora Lazarus recalled the situation for Julian Assange. "Human rights are not for the flawless, but for all."