Julian Assange – the so-called ‘cyber terrorist’ behind WikiLeaks – was among guests participating in a Q&A (wearing a mask!) following a BAFTA screening of documentary Shadows Of Liberty.
The film, by Canadian filmmaker Jean-Philippe Tremblay, is an unflinching exploration of the corporate media monopoly in American journalism.
Produced by DocFactory, the film features several extraordinary testimonies by former journalists who claim their bosses deliberately subverted the reporting of investigative stories in order to appease their corporate owners.
A large cast of contributors make an appearance throughout, including journalist and author Pratap Chatterjee (who also participated in the Q&A alongside Assange and Tremblay), actor Danny Glover, and former CBS news anchor Dan Rather.
One thing the film does seem to lack is any sense of forward action – how can people who have been motivated by the film strive make a difference? However, Tremblay was quick to point out that a website is currently in development and will be up-and-running by the time the film reaches the public.
Speaking during the Q&A at BAFTA, Assange, one of the contributors to the film, claimed it was his last public appearance before a panel of Supreme Court judges decide if he will be extradited to Sweden on alleged rape and sexual assault charges on May 30.
Rather bizarrely, he spent the whole event behind a mask to “show solidarity” to those who have continued to support his website, and in response to the documentary claimed “the mainstream media has increasingly lost legitimacy.”
“This may be my last time in public, so I thought I should start with a situation where you won’t be able to see me anymore,” added Assange.
Shadows Of Liberty is due for a UK release this Autumn.
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