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> An Assange prosecution could give the Trump presidency broad new powers to put Trump’s media “enemies” in jail, instead of just yanking a credential or two I

> An Assange prosecution could give the Trump presidency broad new powers to put Trump’s media “enemies” in jail, instead of just yanking a credential or two I don't understand how a prosecution of something completely unrelated to what he has done on/with wikileaks automagically translates into donald having 'broad new powers' to start throwing journalists in jail. If Assange is blamed for and/or convicted of some sexual misconduct or whatever (again, unrelated to his 'journalism' work), does the author think that all journalists are guilty of this and subject to imprisonment? Edit: thanks for the explanations. I look forward to the incoming HN bury brigade, since I asked a question based on a false pretense. Such is the reddit^H^H^H^H^H^Hhackernews way.

seagullz 8y ago
It is extremely unlikely that US prosecutors are after him for any alleged "backroom talk/act". WSJ reported that the charges against him “ may involve the Espionage Act, which criminalizes the disclosure of national defense-related information.”[0] Accordingly, the implications on journalism are real and far-reaching [1]. [0] https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-is-optimistic-it-will-prosecute-assange-1542323142 https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-is-optimistic-it-will-prose... [1] https://theintercept.com/2018/11/16/as-the-obama-doj-concluded-prosecution-of-julian-assange-for-publishing-documents-poses-grave-threats-to-press-freedom/ https://theintercept.com/2018/11/16/as-the-obama-doj-conclud...
tanderson92 8y ago
There's no evidence that the prosecution would be for anything non-'journalism' related; that is unsupported speculation that the author doesn't imply or suggest.
acct1771 8y ago
Precedent.