Mohave Today

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Paul A. Gosar has introduced a bipartisan resolution in the House of Representatives, expressing the sense of the House that the United States should drop all charges and attempts to extradite Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks. The resolution, known as H.Res. 934, emphasizes the importance of protecting journalistic activities under the First Amendment and highlights the potential consequences of restricting them.

In a statement, Congressman Gosar emphasized the fundamental role of the First Amendment in safeguarding the freedom of the press. He stated, "A cornerstone of our republic, the First Amendment to the Constitution protects the freedom of the press. It helps ensure that journalists have the right to gather and publish information without fear of reprisal from the federal government and is vital for holding those in power accountable while informing the public on important matters."

The case of Julian Assange has brought to light the significance of protecting journalistic activities and the potential chilling effect on exposing government misconduct. Assange has been unjustly imprisoned for his disclosure of Afghanistan war records, which shed light on various issues such as the hiring of child prostitutes by Defense Department contractors, friendly fire incidents, and civilian killings. The prosecution of Assange has raised significant concerns about the potential suppression of journalists and the true nature of the United States military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Congressman Gosar's resolution calls for the United States to drop all charges against Julian Assange in accordance with the principles of free speech and a free press. He warns that if the U.S. government succeeds in prosecuting Assange for publishing information, it could set a dangerous precedent that could be used to silence other journalists and publishers in the future.

The bipartisan nature of the resolution highlights the broad support for protecting journalistic activities. Representatives Jim McGovern, Thomas Massie, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Anna Paulina Luna, Eric Burlison, Jeff Duncan, Ilhan Omar, and Clay Higgins have all cosponsored the resolution, underscoring the bipartisan commitment to upholding the principles of free speech and a free press.

In conclusion, Congressman Gosar's introduction of H.Res. 934 sends a clear message that regular journalistic activities are protected under the First Amendment and that charges against Julian Assange should be dropped. This resolution emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the freedom of the press and holding those in power accountable, ensuring that journalists can continue to inform the public on critical matters without fear of reprisal or censorship.

To learn more, click on this link: https://gosar.house.gov/news/email/show.aspx?ID=AFUWJGE7GXG3FIZMGFCVCPYMU4