JULIAN’S FATHER KEEPS UP FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

THE potential extradition and jailing of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in the United States would have serious ramifications for the futures of journalism and publishing, but the result for his father John Shipton would be far more personal.

“It represents the death of Julian Assange,” he said.

“It’s death, it’s a deliberate, slowmotion murder of an Australian publisher of 175 years in jail.”

Mr Shipton was in Toowoomba this week as part of a national tour to promote a new documentary Ithaka, which chronicles his fight to free Mr Assange from prison in England.

Mr Shipton said the film, which was screened at the Strand on Thursday night and will air on the ABC on June 7, was helping to build support for his son’s release.

“(This) will lead to a wave of support for Julian and determination to bring him home,” he said.

BRING HIM HOME: The father of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (inset) John Shipton arrived in Toowoomba this week to promote the screening of a new documentary about his fight to secure his son's release from prison, and avoid extradition to the United States.