Frustrated at the direction the media’s narrative has taken, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange walked out of an interview with CNN’s Atika Schubert.
She inquired about the rape allegations made against him in Sweden but he threatened several times to walk when she brought the subject up. When she didn’t drop it completely, he removed his mic and walked away.
The reporter drew some frustrated comments from Assange when she suggested that the rape accusations — which Assange believe were fabricated by the Pentagon or another enemy — affect WikiLeaks. “I’m not going to talk about that in relation to this … this interview is about something else.
When Schubert continued to pry, asking Assange to elaborate on his earlier statement that the accusations were part of a dirty tricks campaign, Assange responded, “I will have to walk if you’re going to contaminate us revealing the deaths of 104,000 people with attacks against my person.”
Assange repeated the threat several times as Schubert tried to frame her question as an opportunity for him to back up his claims that the accusations were smears, and he finally said softly, “I’m sorry” before standing up, removing his microphone and walking away.
Dissent Within WikiLeaks
Assange already appeared frustrated during the interview after Schubert inquired about former WikiLeaks spokesperson Daniel Schmitt and other former volunteers who allegedly left the organization or were suspended or removed.
Everything from The New York Times to New York Magazine to Gawker has reported that several WikiLeaks volunteers left because Assange exhibited poor leadership skills and made questionable choices, including the (allegedly) unilateral decision to release the names of Afghan intelligence sources who may face discipline by the Taliban.
For example, Assange supposedly told Herbert Snorrason, “I am the heart and soul of this organization, its founder, philosopher, spokesperson, original coder, organizer, financier, and all the rest,” and, “I don’t like your tone. If it continues, you should quit.”
When CNN asked about these rumors, Assange appeared defensive, wanting to know the names of her sources — presumably so he could discredit them individually — and insisting that to his knowledge only one Schmitt has spoken out against him publicly.
Are News Outlets Being Irresponsible With the Narrative?
Assange’s frustration is understandable, even if his behavior in response to it is not. Just as WikiLeaks has just released hundreds of thousands of Iraq war documents which could contain important information about the war effort and the activities of the United States, its allies and its enemies, the narrative in the media is focused on questions about Assange’s lifestyle, choices and leadership.
That said, Schubert had a legitimate point when she said that the rape case affects WikiLeaks. Assange and his organization were seeking refuge in the comparatively permissive country, but the accusations may have prevented Assange from making the country his home. Any conspiracy theorist would be quick to guess that WikiLeaks’ powerful enemies set up the accusations to keep the organization from finding a stable base, but either way it was a set-back for the organization.
Assange’s British visa reportedly expires within a year, and his home country of Australia has made it clear that it will side with U.S. authorities if worst comes to worst.
It’s telling that CNN has made the headline for its WikiLeaks interview “Wikileaks founder walks out of interview.” The human narrative of a man’s self-destruction might be more digestible and eye-catching than in-depth analysis of the legal, moral and political issues that WikiLeaks creates, but walking out of interviews angrily does little to help change that narrative.
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More About: cnn, daniel schmitt, interview, julian assange, Rape, twitter, video, wikileaks
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