Deafening silence over Assange

✒ THE state of independent and investigative journalism in the national media is truly depressing.

The Wikileaks disclosures brought to light criminal behaviour the US government wanted to conceal from its citizens – the revelation of which is probably the most important function of a free press.

However, this Government has done everything possible to punish Julian Assange to please its US ally.

Anyone following reports on the recent proceedings would be shocked at the show trial nature of the hearings.

There are arguably greater press failings, for example the weak media challenges to the Government’s deceits around Covid-19 reporting, or the fiascos over PPE, test and trace and the amazingly crass transfer of the elderly from hospital to care homes.

Also, of course, on the selling of lethal weaponry to the Saudis that have killed thousands of civilians in Yemen. (The Government was outraged by the alleged use of Novichok in Britain, yet its weapons are being used to commit war crimes abroad - breathtaking hypocrisy)

An informed public is vital for any meaningful democracy and it is their right, except where secrecy is necessary for national security, to know what it is being done in their name.

If the media, as appears in the Assange case, collude with Government on silencing whistleblowers they are doing the country no favours.

Why am I writing to a local paper on national issues? Because the silence of the national press, and the BBC in particular, on the Assange hearings is a disgrace.