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Anorak News | US State Department Invites Julian Assange To Speak At World Press Freedom Day 2011

US State Department Invites Julian Assange To Speak At World Press Freedom Day 2011

by | 8th, December 2010

IT’S UNESCO World Press Freedom Day in the USA, an events supported by the US State Department. The Day lasts three days – May 1 – May 3. It’s hosted in Washington D.C.. And guest speaker is surely Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. Right? Says the blurb:

The theme is 21st Century Media: New Frontiers, New Barriers.

In light of the US cable leaks, the irony comes thick and fast:

The United States places technology and innovation at the forefront of its diplomatic and development efforts.

Such as the head of the US State Department, Secretary of Stare Hillary Clinton ordering staff to spy on associates at the UN and report back via electronic communication.

Oh, do go on:

New media has empowered citizens around the world to report on their circumstances, express opinions on world events, and exchange information in environments sometimes hostile to such exercises of individuals’ right to freedom of expression.

People like diplomats commenting on those funny foreigners. Thanks to Wikileaks it is the 1970s all over again, with ordered Germans, thin-skinned Frenchies, busty blondes, macho Russians, shallow Italians and snotty Brits.

At the same time, we are concerned about the determination of some governments to censor and silence individuals, and to restrict the free flow of information. We mark events such as World Press Freedom Day in the context of our enduring commitment to support and expand press freedom and the free flow of information in this digital age.

Oh?

…The State Department looks forward to working with UNESCO…

RSVP via paper or electronic communication. Save your bitching for the phone…

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ALL TV OUT. ALL TV RELATED INTERNET SITES OUT. Courts artist Elizabeth Cook works on her impression of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange appearing at Westminster Magistrates Court, outside the court in London, where he was remanded in custody today after appearing in court on an extradition warrant.



Posted: 8th, December 2010 | In: Key Posts, Politicians Comment | TrackBack | Permalink