Wikileaks - Julian Assange - ALDE seminar on Self Censorship.

there is no such thing as a Free Press, so it's up to US, the little guys, to spread the word about what's happening in the world thanks to the CORPORATE WAR MACHINE. Julain Assange is one such victim of this Private Thought Crime Army who're using the production and sale of weapons to foreign countries to INVADE those foreign countries; yeah, just like Bill Hicks said they were about George Bush snr's first Gulf War.

Anyway, Assange came out of hiding to make an appearance at the ALDE seminar on "Censorship and Self censorship" (full three hour video below) held at the European Parliament on Monday 21st June. I was looking for the LIVE STREAM on the day but TWO feeds broke and I've had to wait for these youtube uploads to share the event with you. Other speakers at the event were Lars Vilks (artist), Flemming Rose (Jyllands-Posten editor), Naema Tahir (Dutch author), Professor Alistair Mullis (UK Defamation Law expert), Julian Assange (WikiLeaks) and Birgitta Jonsdottir (member of the Icelandic Parliament and rapporteur of the draft legislation in Iceland).

"Freedom of expression is under threat in Europe, which instead should be a model for the rest of the world. How can we credibly speak about a lack of freedom of expression in China or Iran if we don't apply the highest standards ourselves? Journalists, cartoonists, but also scientists are increasingly censored, or apply self-censorship, and in worst cases, individuals are not able to live in freedom after expressing certain opinions. This is unacceptable and that's why we should learn from Iceland where the most protective draft legislation for whistleblowers, confidential sources of journalists and libel-tourism prevention is being prepared." said Marietje Schaake.

"No person should be afraid of the consequences when they freely express themselves. That would be contrary to European values we believe in and protect. ALDE defends the right to offend which is an essential part of freedom of expression, and we will stand with those who come under pressure to freely express their views, be they political, artistic or otherwise." said Alexander Lambsdorff.