Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has just ended a visit to the United States with another request for the release of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange, whose fate still hangs in the balance. As Assange awaits a final hearing in the United Kingdom on his extradition to the United States, where he faces a possible life sentence, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has launched a new global campaign for an end to the disgraceful persecution to which he has been subjected.

Imprisoned in the UK since April 2019, Assange has been arbitrarily deprived of his freedom in various ways since December 2010. Many international media including Le Monde and The Guardian are supporting our campaign to defend the right to be informed by calling for his release.

It is more important than ever that news organisations and journalists all over the world express their support for the principles at stake. If the US government succeeds in obtaining Assange’s extradition and prosecuting him under the Espionage Act, anyone who publishes stories based on leaked classified information could be next.

Your help is essential for us to be able to continue mobilising international solidarity in support of Julian Assange before it is too late, and thereby protect press freedom.