Wading through the constant flow of information streaming through social media feeds doesn’t guarantee users will receive significant updates in a timely manner. That is unless one follows journalist Cassandra Fairbanks. On the topic of WikiLeaks and Julian Assange, Fairbanks conducts extensive research. She’s even interviewed Assange himself on multiple occasions in the Ecuadorian embassy located in London. She describes herself as anti-war and an advocate of information. Thus her support of WikiLeaks.
Fairbanks has featured updated reporting on Julian Assange’s recent apprehension from the Ecuadorian embassy by UK authorities. She describes his removal as an illegal act of retribution against the founder of WikiLeaks. Ecuadorian officials disputed early reports of Assange’s expulsion ahead of his arrest. However, according to Fairbanks, “They claimed that Julian was making up sources who told him that they were about to expel him, then fired someone for telling him about it.”
Having been granted political asylum by Ecuador, Assange remained confined to its embassy in London. When WikiLeaks reported the upcoming removal of Julian Assange, media began staking out the embassy he called home for seven years. Despite embassy officials dismissing reports of Assange’s removal, Cassandra Fairbanks knew better. She immediately took a flight to London and joined the press stakeout.
American citizens and politicians have been divided on support for the WikiLeaks founder. Julian Assange has received numerous awards for his journalism. Many view the whistleblower site WikiLeaks as vital for maintaining democracy while others accuse Assange of partisanship. Critics say WikiLeaks cooperated with Russian assets against Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Presidential Elections. Others dispute this because WikiLeaks has also previously published leaks from Russia.
Cassandra Fairbanks dismisses reports of improper hygiene and less-than-stellar uses of human waste against Julian Assange as absurd. Having previously visited, Fairbanks said the bathroom “even had a note that said the toilet paper has to hang over not under.” She found humor in the reports and pointed out Assange is unable to publicly defend himself against such claims.
Led by Assange, WikiLeaks has exposed secrets and crimes committed by upper echelons of governments internationally, including war crimes committed by the United States military. Fairbanks is also an advocate against violence and war. Having lost a close friend in Afghanistan, her interest in preventing further loss intensified and she’s been on the case ever since with no sign of relenting.
