Mr Joe Biden
President, United States
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington
26th July 2022
Dear Mr President
"World Press Freedom Day, is a day to recognize the vital importance of journalism to upholding free and open democracies, both here at home and around the world."
These are your own words, Mr Biden, spoken shortly after being elected President in 2020.
You continue:
"It’s also a day to honour the journalists who dedicate their lives to advancing media freedom, at times braving immense pressure, sacrificing their livelihood or liberty, or even facing mortal danger to bring the truth to light."
In relation to the 25 journalists around the world killed while doing their job in 2019, and the estimated 360 people worldwide imprisoned at the time for their work in journalism, you said:
"We all stand in solidarity with these journalists for, as Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1786, “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost. A free press is essential to a free society. Tyrants know this all too well. That is why attacking the press and attempting to intimidate independent media is a standard part of the authoritarian playbook."
The country you lead is persecuting and prosecuting Julian Assange, an Australian member of the 4th Estate who lives and breathes the values you espouse; a journalist, publisher and father who has not only lost his liberty but will almost certainly lose his life if you do not prevent his extradition to the United States.
As President Elect you said of your predecessor, Donald Trump:
"Trump deflects legitimate questions with attacks. He bullies and berates individual members of the press, rather than take responsibility for his failures of leadership. His efforts to undermine public confidence in the integrity of fact-based reporting violate our core American values and threaten our very system of government."
Julian Assange is a fact-based reporter. Whether, as President, you like or dislike the facts he reports is beside the point if you are to nurture the free society that Thomas Jefferson spoke of in 1786.
Again, I quote your own words:
"Journalists hold those in positions of authority accountable, investigate and document abuses of power, and expose the truth for everyone to see. While many presidents have been unhappy with their media coverage, only Donald Trump has attacked the independence of journalists and launched an all-out assault on the media. As President, I will restore a relationship with the independent press that is grounded in mutual respect, even — and especially when — they critique policies or positions of my administration. In a Biden White House, there will be no bullying of the media..."
The United States has been bullying Julian Assange for more than a decade now. Please Joe, in the spirit of healing, empathy and truth, remain true to your words and end the bullying, persecution and prosecution of Julian Assange.
yours sincerely
James Ricketson
yours sincerely
James Ricketson
cc Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Caroline Kennedy, United States Ambassador to Australia
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