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Julian Assange

MODERN TIMES has covered the persecution of Julian Assange for a long time. In the name of freedom of expression, we regard this as a farce from "rule of law" such as the United States and the United Kingdom, carried out by a power that does not accept criticism of its abuses.
"Every time we witness an injustice and do not act, we train our character to be passive in its presence and thereby eventually lose all ability to defend ourselves and those we love. In a modern economy it is impossible to seal oneself off from injustice.
If we have brains or courage, then we are blessed and called on not to frit these qualities away, standing agape at the ideas of others, winning pissing contests, improving the efficiencies of the neocorporate state, or immersing ourselves in obscuranta, but rather to prove the vigor of our talents against the strongest opponents of love we can find.
If we can only live once, then let it be a daring adventure that draws on all our powers. Let it be with similar types whose hearts and heads we may be proud of. Let our grandchildren delight to find the beginning of our stories in their ears but the endings all around in their wandering eyes.
The whole universe or the structure that perceives it is a worthy opponent, but try as I may I can not escape the sound of suffering. Perhaps as an old man I will take great comfort in putting around in a lab and gently talking to students in the summer evening and will accept suffering with insouciance. But not now; men in their prime, if they have convictions are tasked to act on them. "
- Julian Assange, 2007

PDF her.

Destructive criticism of Sweden

Nils Melzer: The Julian Assange Case

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.
Stina Oscarson -

Save Assange, save democracy

Stephanie Maurizi: The Secret power: Why they want to destroy Julian Assange and WikiLeaks

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.
Melita Zajc -

Julian Assange – a goldmine and a nightmare

Texts commented on and collected by Karen Sharpe: Julian Assange in His Own Words

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.
John Y. Jones -

The pandemic and its societal implications

Renata Avila and Srećko Horvat: Everything Must Change! The World After Covid-19

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.
Thomas Hylland Eriksen -

"Stink journalism" against whistleblowers

JOURNALISM: Professor Gisle Selnes writes that Harald Stanghelle's column 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?
John Y. Jones -

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:
MODERN TIMES -

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.
Arne Ruth -

Sweden and England were democracies

Whistleblowing: 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.
Eva Joly -

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

WEBINAR: Oxford professor Liora Lazarus reminded of the situation for Julian Assange. "Human rights are not for the flawless, but for all."
John Y. Jones -

Those with power and authority have always wanted to cut the whistleblowers

Whistleblowing: MODERN TIMES's appendix ORIENTERING is devoted to warning and truth.
John Y. Jones -

Wallraff: "Assange has become a scapegoat"

Assange"It is incomprehensible that an undermining of the rule of law to such an extent can take place in a democracy like Sweden," says Günter Wallraff in a conversation with MODERN TIMES about the Julian Assange case. And adds: "The death sentence is as good as handed down."
Arne Ruth -

Like the trial in Old Bailey against Julian Assange

ASSANGEIn this interview with journalist John Pilger, he discusses the trial of Julian Asange, as well as the freedom to hold authorities accountable, the freedom to challenge, to point out hypocrisy and to protest.
Timothy Erik Strom -

Being threatened with death can make most people keep a low profile

FREEDOM OF SPEECH: The opportunity to say something is always very limited, says MODERN TIMES 'regular writer in this essay about different authorities' use of force. Away from today's mass media, an "underground" network of intellectuals has now emerged, including experienced journalists, intelligence officers, renowned professors and politicians.
Ola Tunander -

"A murderous system"

SWEDEN ACTIONS:: Why do the Swedish authorities not cooperate with the UN mechanisms and respect principles of openness, accountability and law when it comes to the Assange case, asks Swedish Arne Ruth.
John Y. Jones -

"A murderous system is being created"

ASSANGE: "If Julian Assange is convicted, a murderous system is about to arise right before our eyes. It will be the death knell for freedom of the press and the rule of law, "said Nils Melzer, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.
John Y. Jones -

What's new in the uprising

NEWSPAPER EDITOR: The new form of protest mentioned by the anarchists does not want an overarching "narrative" about the events in Hong Kong.
Truls Lie -
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Full 100-page MODERN TIMES including the appendix Orientering and Modern Times Review comes out quarterly in early March, June, September and December) with international book reviews (non-fiction) and comments / essays. According to the physical newspaper (and PDF), the articles are published regularly online (see the newsletters).

© MODERN TIMES & Orientering AS. PO Box 3113 Elisenberg, 0207 Oslo. Chief editor: Truls Lie

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