Thanks to the support of Gerardo Femina of Europe for Peace, we were able to ask some questions to Noam Chomsky, who has already written so much about the Assange case, following it closely and fighting for the freedom of the investigative journalist. We report his concise answers.
Julian Assange’s extradition to the United States seems increasingly likely: what more can you say on this issue?
Can only repeat what I’ve been saying loud and clear. The US attack against him, with cowardly British complicity, is a major crime.
What do you think will be the immediate consequences for investigative journalism?
It’s a warning to take care if you release information to the public that it deserves to know but that the powerful state wants to keep secret. The consequences will be determined by the reaction
Here in Europe we don’t see substantial changes in American policy either on freedom of information issues or international politics. Do you agree with this analysis? What prospects do you see for the future?
Different issues. The US is far ahead of Europe on freedom of information, though there are attacks on it. International politics is a long and separate story. Prospects depend on people like you.
Perhaps the United States would need a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as Nelson Mandela did in South Africa: do you think it would be a good idea for civil society to propose it?
It’s often been proposed, sometimes informally implemented. A serious effort would be a very good idea.
