It's been a long time since I have updated my blog, mainly because I have been busy with other projects and have not found the time to post anything here. However, with the recent episode in the news involving WikiLeaks and the worldwide Interpol manhunt for Julian Assange, the founder of the WikiLeaks, I felt compelled to exercise my constitutional right to freedom of expression and post a comment or two about this situation.
First of all, this episode involves the leaking of classified government documents, which involves breaking the law. To that extent, I do not endorse any of this—in no way do I support or endorse breaking the law, even if it involves a perceived higher cause. That's just plain wrong. The ends do not ever justify the means.
However, that said, I have to say that I personally think it is completely inappropriate to cast Julian Assange as some sort of mysterious Bond villain operating out of a secret hideout in Europe and intent on the destruction of the United States. That sort of caricaturization of someone who appears to be motivated primarily by hostility towards the corruption in the political system only serves to validate Assange's position. The heavy-handed response on the part of authorities—characterizing Assange as a terrorist or malefactor—is downright Orwellian and only lends credence to Assange's position. What's all the more creepy is that within days of the WikiLeaks' public disclosure of classified documents, Interpol announced that he is on their "most wanted" list in connection with rape and molestation charges arising out of Sweden. All this theatrics, in my mind, only serves to garner public sympathy for Assange.
The bottom line is that we live in a world in which access to information and self-expression has become a whole lot easier than, say, 10 years ago, thanks to enormous, ongoing leaps in communications technology. That, in my mind, is a good thing. Add to that, the fact that now power-brokers and figures of authority are that much more accountable to the public for their actions and find it harder to get away with corrupt practices. It's unfortunate that this freedom is abused by people who break the law and engage in questionable practices. On the other hand, by the same token, I also do believe that if Hillary Clinton instructed diplomats to spy on their colleagues, then she should be made to answer to those charges! I don't think she should be allowed to get away with that sort of abuse of power any less than I think Julian Assange should be made to answer for the laws that he has broken!
Freedom of expression is a right that we don't fully appreciate until we stand to lose it! However, it also requires responsibility on our part—we have to play by the rules, just as driving on the freeway requires us to stay in our lanes and not disrupt traffic by making sudden lane changes. On the other hand, if the police are corrupt and not themselves playing by the rules, the public has the right to know!
I started Horizon Cybermedia to produce and promote high quality media content, using the latest communications technology to aid in my production and distribution efforts. I see this technology as an invaluable adjunct to my creative endeavors and in my attempts at producing and promoting high quality cultural artifacts. I think it is unfortunate when these tools are abused by others, thereby disrupting an environment of free and open communication and self-expression. However, I also believe that corrupt figures of authority and corporate interests are no less culpable in undermining freedom and goodwill in mainstream society!
Do visit our website at http://www.explorationtheseries.com for high quality media content from Horizon Cybermedia, including our ongoing film series, Exploration with Uday Gunjikar. The current episode visits Big Bear Lake, CA, and the next episode takes you to the rock-cut Buddhist temples at the Kanheri caves in the Borivli National Park near the city of Mumbai, India.
Wishing you the very best,
Uday Gunjikar
Founder and CEO,
Horizon Cybermedia, Inc.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Los Angeles, CA
