Even if there are still appeals on European soil - notably to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg - it is now time to point the finger of blame at the bosses of the world's major media, after the politicians failed in their mission to defend freedom of expression. Just a few days ago, when the IFJ President proposed an opinion piece to two major French dailies - Le Monde and Libération - the latter politely replied "that they didn't have the space". Even on their websites!
After years of filling their pages with stories supplied by Julian Assange and Wikileaks these media are now responsible for the deafening silence that has descended on this man.
Of course, all the media, not just French news platforms , will make a big fuss when news of his extradition breaks.
Of course, in the midst of the war in Ukraine and growling global polarity, detractors of the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and Sweden, (which sought his arrest for sexual assault), will use this affair for their own political and geopolitical interests.
As for the other nations, including France, Germany and Canada, none has ever had the courage to protect Assange by offering him asylum.
When the profession will wake up astounded after Assange's extradition, no journalist or media outlet will be able to say that they didn't know. Because stories similar to the one with "Assange" will multiply. Because if Assange is convicted, every journalist will risk the same fate.
Anthony Bellanger
IFJ General Secretary