# Source note — Julian Assange PACE press-freedom Reel

Prepared: 2026-07-28

## Social lead
- Facebook share URL: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GFgnLhDTT/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Resolved Reel: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1062803346691085/
- Uploader: The Information Rights Project
- Metadata says: On 1 October 2024, Julian Assange addressed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in his first public remarks since leaving Belmarsh Prison, warning that criminalising newsgathering threatens investigative journalism.
- Duration: about 21 seconds.

## Captured transcript
“The criminalisation of news-gathering activities is a threat to investigative journalism everywhere. The fundamental issue is simple. Journalists should not be prosecuted for doing their jobs. Journalism is not a crime. It is a pillar of a free and informed society.”

## Verification summary
- Verified by RSF, ABC, Guardian, and transcript/source copies: Julian Assange addressed a PACE committee in Strasbourg on 1 October 2024.
- Verified: Assange made the quoted statement about criminalisation of newsgathering and journalism not being a crime.
- Verified context: the address followed his June 2024 release after pleading guilty to one U.S. Espionage Act count in a plea deal; reports say he had spent years in Belmarsh while fighting extradition.
- Verified context: RSF and PACE reporting framed the prosecution as carrying chilling-effect/free-press implications.

## Evidence label
Verified speech excerpt + press-freedom/legal context.

## Guardrail
This is a free-speech/press-freedom source card, not a relitigation of every WikiLeaks controversy. Mention disputed/critical context where relevant, but the specific clip’s quote and event are verified.