You're reading: France 24: Assange’s extradition trial a test for press freedom, rights groups say

France 24: Assange’s extradition trial a test for press freedom, rights groups say

Published Jan. 5, 2021. Updated Jan. 5 at 5:56 am

(FILES) In this file photo taken on Feb. 24, 2020, a supporter of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange holds a placard calling for his freedom outside Woolwich Crown Court and HMP Belmarsh prison in southeast London.

Photo by AFP

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has emerged as one of the most controversial whistleblowers of recent times, hailed by supporters as a fearless campaigner for press freedom and denounced by critics as reckless, self-aggrandising and even dangerous. On Monday a British judge ruled that Assange should not be extradited to the US to face espionage charges in a trial critics have said is a test case for press freedom.