Is Julian Assange a free speech martyr or a chaos-hungry narcissist? Few characters in the 21st century inspire more outrage or equal adoration. Through his WikiLeaks platform, he has uncompromisingly released vast amounts of private government and corporate data in the name of the public interest. He’s a self-proclaimed crusader, an uncontrollable megalomaniac, a modern internet celebrity, and a figure firmly in the crosshairs of those in power. ABC News Australia seeks to unravel his complex legacy in the gripping documentary Hero or Villain: The Julian Assange Indictment.
The film tells a new chapter in Assange’s saga as he faces a new set of charges under the Espionage Act and fights extradition to the United States. Is his arrest a victory for righteous believers or a blow to the sanctity of journalism?
In 2010, Assange and WikiLeaks rose to fame when they released classified US military video showing a disguised Apache helicopter murdering a dozen people in Baghdad. The leak sparked an international debate that continues to this day.
The filmmakers reflect on the episode and more that followed, including Assange’s relationship with his sources, the risks and rewards of his whistleblowing efforts, his grueling dealings with major media outlets, and his integrity How to challenge the boundaries of journalism in the modern digital age.
Rather than dry retellings of widely circulated headlines, the film benefits from the perspective of those who know Assange best. WikiLeaks contributors share their personal insights into the enigmatic leader, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at many of the key actions that shaped his controversial image in the public consciousness.
On the contrary, the film also makes a point against critics who claim that Assange’s efforts cross the line of putting human lives at risk. “Real people were hurt by what WikiLeaks did,” said one of them.
Hero or Villain: The Prosecution of Julian Assange is an excellent introduction to this complex scandal.
