Valid values in relation to the political persecution of Julian Assange.
Julian Assange is charged by the US government for publishing evidence of war crimes and human rights abuses. He faces a 175 year sentence. This is not just an attack on journalism, it's an attack on the future of democracy.
The values of governments that start wars by lies and grant impunity for war crimes, corruption and human rights violations are evident. They disdain truth, transparency and the rule of law.
In a democracy the media are expected to monitor, investigate and report on government misconduct to give the public a balanced view. When it becomes a crime to publish truthful information in the public interest, that balance is gone.
In response to and as a result of the grave injustice done to Assange, Valid Values explores the values of people who resist this imbalance, including some of Assange's family members, close friends and supporters.
I truly believe that humanity can drag itself from the pit of war, racism and discrimination. Violence is not inevitable; it is a learned behaviour, from which we can and will – and must – evolve.
I believe we owe our freedom to the heroes of past generations who fought with their lives for it. It is essential to fight now for future generations so the world that they inherit from us will be freer and fairer.
I'm interested in art that interacts with the community, in art that shares and does not impose. As far as I'm concerned, art is a way of navigating in discomfort, in conflict, in helping others, a way of working with the political and civil space. Art helps me not to look the other way.
I value diversity in all things, as well as basic freedoms such as the freedom to experiment, freedom to make mistakes, freedom to learn, and freedom to question everything including myself and the structures of power and authority.
If we weren’t able to communicate with each other, our whole intellectual heritage would not exist. This is why our right to communicate is our most important right.
The disclosure and distribution of important information sometimes relies on individuals going against the grain. Those activities, and those people, should be protected because they are valuable.
If values are the lifelong pursuit of the ideal in ourselves and others then we must, as we strive towards diverse and shared values, gather all the strength and power we can harness. So therefor I’m left emphasising the value of health, mental, physical and societally. So with that, to your health, friend.
Even in the darkest room, one candle is enough for everyone to see. So, as dark as things may be around you, don’t look for the light elsewhere, but light your own candle, and make people see.
As an investigative journalist, I will leave no stone unturned to allow journalists like Julian Assange and the WikiLeaks journalists and sources like Chelsea Manning to expose war crimes and to live free and safe after exposing them. This is what freedom of the press is in a democracy.
Live simply with curiosity, creativity, ingenuity & resourcefulness. Respect instinct & nature. Feel empathy. Show kindness. Search for the truth. Think critically & independently not ideologically. Act realistically, practically & strategically. Stand up for justice & freedom. Find the courage to stand alone for your principles.