Since the news came through I have been keeping an eye and an ear out for further reporting in the mainstream media. Needless to say, the news I am talking about did not come through on that very same mainstream media.
I listened, in vain, to ABC Radio National and watched in vain on ABC TV news – nothing heard, nothing seen.
I have heard there has been some mention on local radio in Sydney, as well as on SBS TV. The Sydney Morning Herald and The Guardian have also had articles making mention. There may have been some coverage on commercial outlets, but I haven’t heard of any.
As the news was coming out, the ABC was keen to have us know about someone called R Kelly being convicted in the US on sex trafficking charges. Other news included the fact that Kylie Minogue was returning from London to live in Australia.
At least Kylie is an Australian citizen. So fair enough!
However, they were not so interested in letting us know about the threats made by the US Government to murder an Australian citizen. Definitely not interested in exploring the implications of such threats to not only Australian citizens but citizens of all countries.
The public broadcaster also seems even less interested in exploring the role of that citizen’s government and its attitude – in 2017 or now.
Whether or not they knew about the plan – and if so, did they agree to it? – or as citizens would expect, did they oppose it in the strongest possible terms?
If they weren’t informed, is the Australian government demanding of the US government that criminal charges be laid against those responsible?
It is probably too much to expect, because the citizen’s name is Julian Assange, and as far as the mainstream media and the government are concerned, the less said about him the better. We can’t afford to get offside with the US if we want those nuclear submarines.
However, it is more vital than ever that we have the name Julian Assange in our minds as we approach the final appeal by the US government to extradite him to the US on 27 October.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
