ABC Four Corners Program: US Vs Julian Assange

I am feeling intense inspiration tonight around Julian Assange. Intelligence agencies gather all our data and can use it against us if it is decided we are a threat for revealing truth to power.

So intelligence agencies and telecommunications companies are gathering data on the population. Edward Snowden disclosed US surveillance of its citizens. In Australia citizens are surveilled.

This is manifesting as surveillance capitalism given that corporations are controlling governments around the world using their wealth to curry favour and to redirect national interest towards expanding corporate markets.

Surveillance is being privatised and this means that privacy is no longer sacred. When this happens people can be harmed. Visibility, transparency and disclosure of crimes to the public is necessary given public money funds government and militaries.

If checks and balances fail internally due to corruption and/or rules of engagement face no counter balancing authority then limits on abuse of power become a free for all. When we witness civilians being murdered and targeted in cities justified by terrorism, insurgencies, civil war etc. For world authorities and leaders to not stop crimes against civilians creates the conditions for whistle blowers. This is not only the US, it would be any country that uses violence against civilians without limits or consequence. The Geneva Conventions and humanitarian law are important for restraining or at the very least holding to account war criminals, as we saw in Bosnia. The International Criminal Court is essential to ensure global justice https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Criminal_Court

The Nuremburg Trials in Germany were undertaken to hold Nazi Germany to account, as what was witnessed in camps were crimes against humanity. This excerpt is from Wikipedia:

The Nuremberg trials (German: Nürnberger Prozesse) were a series of military tribunals held after World War II by the Allied forces under international law and the laws of war. The trials were most notable for the prosecution of prominent members of the political, military, judicial, and economic leadership of Nazi Germany, who planned, carried out, or otherwise participated in the Holocaust and other war crimes. The trials were held in Nuremberg, Germany, and their decisions marked a turning point between classical and contemporary international law War by its very nature is a violation and crime but it is sanctioned as defence, yet the violence is not questioned. If leadership are not balanced or able to weigh decisions on the basis of values mindful of human rights, then such a leader can be a danger not only to civilians but to the planet, particularly if nuclear weapons are used.

The key issue is leadership being held to account like any ordinary person. If they are committing crimes then there must be accountability. Accountability is what is being asked for around the world. It is a plea in the heart of millions.

Below is a video from ABC Four Corners discussing Julian Assange, the leaks and the Clinton campaign.

The lack of ethics and respect for the public voice is what is under the spotlight with this case in my view. What is freedom?