Indian journalist defends WikiLeaks at British parliament

[Joanne98]

Source: Hindustan Times

Whistle-blower website WikiLeaks and its founder Julian Assange "do not deserve to be treated like common criminals" for upholding "such precious freedom" that does not exist in many countries, a leading Indian journalist said. The US athorities want to charge Assange for revealing state secrets after his website published thousands of documents, including files related to US-led war in Afghanistan and Iraq war and diplomatic cables sent to and from American embassies across glob.

"I daresay, to compromise on the right to expression and freedom is a slippery slope. We need to beware. Ladies and gentleman, I submit that WikiLeaks or Julian Assange do not deserve to be treated like common criminals for upholding such precious freedom," said Ashis Ray, president of the Indian Journalists' Association (Europe).

At an event organised by the Commonwealth Journalists' Association at the Houses of Parliament Friday evening, Ray said the website has the "right to stretch the boundaries of freedom in the revolutionary era of internet technology and new media".

"To me, three things are sacrosanct - my reader, my listener and my viewer. It's their interests that guide my principles. My duty is to inform and entertain; as I believe should be the job of all journalists. Never to suppress, unless I am sworn not to disclose," he said.



Read more: http://www.hindustantimes.com/Indian-journalist-defends-WikiLeaks-at-British-parliament/Article1-650690.aspx