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Julian Assange Indicted Under Espionage Act in “Terrifying Threat” to 1st Amendment

HeadlineMay 24, 2019

The United States has charged WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange with violating the U.S. Espionage Act. On Thursday, the Justice Department announced 17 new charges against Assange over his role in the 2010 Chelsea Manning leaks, in a case that many are warning poses a grave threat to the First Amendment. This is the first time a publisher has been charged under the World War I-era law. Assange faces up to 10 years for each count of violating the Espionage Act—up to 170 years in prison. As the news broke, Trevor Timm of the Freedom of the Press Foundation said, “Put simply, these unprecedented charges against Julian Assange and WikiLeaks are the most significant and terrifying threat to the First Amendment in the 21st century.” After headlines, we’ll speak with Assange’s attorney and with legendary whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg.

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