Journalism doesn't have much of a memory says @PeterCronau - we miss systemic issues about war, about power - the archive of @wikileaks provides context, insights, and an ability to see institutions and history

Julian #Assange doesn't want to talk about himself, he wants to talk about his work, the information he has brought to light, to end wars, to reform institutions, and this book takes a good look at what we have learned about Australia. Democracy can withstand tough questions

Jennifer Robinson wrote the first chapter, as part of Julian #Assange's legal team, where do things stand with Julian's prosecution, asks @ebony_bennett of the @TheAusInstitute ?

We are in the final stages of written submissions, and the judgement is due on 4 Jan. He faces 175 years in prison, for which he has been awarded a Walkley, nominated for the Nobel. He is currently in Belmarsh high security prison where there is a covid outbreak

A lot of Australians are familiar with East Timor's quest for independence, but less familiar with West Papua. What did @WikiLeaks tell us about the intersection of corporate and political power in West Papua, asks @ebony_bennett on 1 December, West Papua's independence day.

Australia is complicit in West Papua's illegal occupation, just as we were in East Timor, says @suigenerisjen . A provisional government is being announced today. What will likely happen is an Indonesian military and police blow back. @suigenerisjen

Journalists are not allowed into West Papua, but what @Wikileaks revealed was how the Indonesian military created security incidents around teh Freeport mine to justify its military budget, in addition to illegal logging operations, an illegal drug trade was also violence.

The US knew exactly what was happening in West Papua, and despite this, restarted military ties with Indonesia. @suigenerisjen understood the significance of @wikileaks human rights lawyers and activists can hold governments to account with actual documents to prove knowledge.

How has @wikileaks changed journalism, @ebony_bennett asks @PeterCronau . Journalism is a permanent archive of original documents, and not just passing news. It allows people to read the information for themselves. It has also allowed global collaboration as never before.

Other important whistleblowers are mentioned by @PeterCronau such as the brave @MurdochCadell who revealed wrongdoing in Afghanistan. Fortunately with @DanielMOakes the public interest has seen investigation dropped. Clearly Julian #Assange's work is in the public interest also.

And now @PeterCronau discusses this document, not evaluated by our media but discussed in A Secret Australia, in which the ADF seeks to avoid constraints on its actions overseas - restraints like parliament, journalism, public interest https://wikileaks.org/wiki/Australian_Defence_Force_classified_propaganda_doctrine:_Information_Operations_Planning_Manual,_20_Jun_2001

Public affairs work hard to convince journalists how to report stories. #Assange has paid the price for inventing the anonymous drop box and other new methods of journalism that @wikileaks pioneered. The chapter of @SueletteD is fantastic on this issue https://publishing.monash.edu/product/a-secret-australia/

Now @ebony_bennett asks @suigenerisjen how important is @wikileaks in defending freedom of speech and the press. We know now that the Obama administration took the decision to not indict him, because of first amendment, or "the New York Times problem"

The #assange indictment includes receipt & publication of information, what journalists and publishers do every day. The danger is that this case outcome will apply to the rest of the media. Any journalist anywhere could face prosecution for publishing true information.

The case against #Assange will criminalise all national security journalism. We have seen this happening already, in Australia, in Brasil, it's a dangerous trend and one that journalist the world over are very worried about. @suigenerisjen

The US is arguing that because Julian #Assange is Australian, is that he cannot benefit from first amendment protections - so if you receive publish or possess information about the US we will exercise our jurisdiction outside their borders but not other legal standards.

Australian disclosure laws are terrifying says @suigenerisjen - far outweighing punishments elsewhere - 25 years to life - excessive. The right decision was taken with respect to @DanielMOakes but should never have been investigated in the first place.

Human rights organisations around the world oppose Assange’s extradition: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the ACLU, among numerous human rights organisations, have released statements categorically opposing Assange’s extradition.

The day after the ABC raids, a story died, a source was too afraid to participate in a story, @PeterCronau explains. We need anonymous dropboxes, whistleblower protection and for the media to not forget cases. Are you in favour of transparency? Ask your parliamentarian?

Is the Australian doing anything to support Julian #Assange? If not, why not? @suigenerisjen speaks of her disappointment as an Australian. Since 2010 the legal team has been calling on the Australian government to protect this citizen. It's never too late!

We have recently seen the Australian government and @MarisePayne play a great role in freeing Kylie Moore-Gilbert, and it can do more to bring #Assange home. Our special relationship should mean our government can act in this political case.

The Australian government *can* negotiate the release of Julian #Assange

What won't we know about war crimes if we don't protect whistleblowers? @phbarratt 's chapter in A Secret Australia discusses the need for government secrecy on operational matters, and the nature of legitimate security classification. But that's not for conceal wrongdoing.

Before @wikileaks we suspected, but now we know the extent to which the Americans liaised with various Labor Party members. It's not a conspiracy when its proven. That's why leaking documents and preserving them, making the archive available so imp. It's not cheerypicking.

The releases by @wikileaks have peeled back the covering of power in Australia - it helps us see through. Use http://Wikileaks.org ! Put in names and search for topics you're interested in - you'll be amazed at what you find!!

What has shocked @suigenerisjen in working on this case asks @ebony_bennett Where to begin!?! Julian #Assange said regarding Cablegate, they will chase me to the end of the earth and make my life hell, but it reveals so much about the world that he had to publish.

It's the biggest criminal investigation in US history against a publisher, says @suigenerisjen the DNA of his child was sought, lawyers were targeted for surveillance - it's shocking that this kind of persecution can occur against an Australian citizen, his lawyers.

One of the most powerful moment in the extradition hearing was @DanielEllsberg testifying - his case was thrown out with prejudice - but the case against Julian #Assange continues.

THANK YOU @ebony_bennett and @TheAusInstitute for a great webinar with @suigenerisjen and @PeterCronau - check out this gripping read! Things you forgot, things you didn't know happened! https://publishing.monash.edu/product/a-secret-australia/