Julian Assange

Julian Assange is an Australian computer programmer and activist who founded WikiLeaks, a media organization known for releasing classified documents.

Entrepreneur

July 3, 1971

Cancer

53

Townsville, Australia

Julian Assange, born on July 3, 1971, in Townsville, Australia, is an Australian journalist, activist, and computer programmer who gained international prominence as the founder of WikiLeaks in 2006. This media organization is renowned for publishing classified documents, and Assange’s most notable works involve exposing war crimes committed by the US military in Iraq and Afghanistan, leaking confidential US government diplomatic cables, and advocating for transparency and freedom of information.

Assange has also been involved in various other projects, such as playing a key role in the documentary film “Risk” and receiving numerous awards for his work in journalism and human rights activism. An interesting aspect of his life is his close friendship with Icelandic politician Birgitta Jónsdóttir, a former WikiLeaks volunteer who assisted him in obtaining political asylum at the Ecuadorian embassy in London in 2012. Jónsdóttir introduced Assange to members of the Icelandic parliament, who became some of his staunchest supporters.

However, Assange has faced legal challenges and extradition attempts, with the US government indicting him on 18 charges that carry a maximum sentence of 175 years in prison. Recently, the British High Court approved his extradition to the US, marking a significant development in his ongoing legal battle.

In summary, Julian Assange is a prominent figure in journalism and activism, recognized for his efforts to reveal government secrets and promote transparency. He is known for founding WikiLeaks and practicing ‘scientific journalism’ by releasing thousands of internal or classified documents with minimal editorial commentary.