Statement from Phillip Adams read at Sydney #rally4JA
Rupert Murdoch used to be Australia's most famous/notorious media identity on the international stage. A little while ago he was pushed off the pedestal by Julian Assange with News Ltd eclipsed by Wikileaks. We're dealing with two very different success stories – and degrees of notoriety. Many of us find the situation amusing – if it wasn't so damned serious. Rupert, of course, can look after himself but Assange needs our ongoing help and concern. How sad that Julian had to seek asylum in the Equadorian Embassy. But then he'd find it hard to get any asylum in the Australian Embassy. Instead of an immense surge of Australian pride for Assange's contribution to what's left of democracy we seem intent on aiding and abetting the US in its attempts to ensnare him in their legal (and I use the term 'legal' very loosely) tentacles.

I first became aware of Julian's genius for creative subterfuge on Late Night Live many years ago when he was a most ingenious hacker. A little later he asked me to be the Australian representative on the advisory board of something called Wikileaks and, impressed with the concept, I was delighted to agree. Over the years he's never asked him to advise him on anything but let me advise him now. Or at least repeat what I've said to him and about him on a number of recent programs. You, Julian Assange, are a remarkable person and your creation – a sort of Freedom Of Information service on a planetary scale – has been on crucial importance in the endless struggle to keep our political leaders, and their military cohorts, under control. My advice to you? Keep you chin up. For every powerful enemy you have countless thousands of friends. As today's rally demonstrates….PHILLIP ADAMS

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