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18 August 2014

A short history of Julian Assange’s most pointless media moments

The Wikileaks founder does a great line in non-news announcements. Let's look back on them with boredom following today's press conference, where he said he may leave the Ecuadorian embassy "soon". 

By Media Mole

Today, Julian Assange summoned a press conference, only to deliver the non-news that he is planning to leave the Ecuadorian embassy “soon”. While denying that this was because of medical reasons, he neglected to give details on why, and when, and how, he would leave. In light of this rather pointless announcement, this mole has dug around for a round-up of some of the least newsworthy Assange moments.

For instance, the time he celebrated his two-year anniversary of entering the Ecuadorian embassy by rather ambitiously calling for the US Attorney General, Eric Holder, to resign. Eric Holder did not resign. 

Or when he taunted the UK government in a speech given from the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy. The event attracted fans and journalists alike, but mainly consisted of Assange smugly thanking those who had helped him – more reminiscent of an emotional Oscars speech than anything else. 

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Then there was this publicity stunt with ex-footballer Eric Cantona – which led to the announcement of… well, nothing. 

Or this sombre exchange of two rather snazzy discs, apparently containing the details of over 2,000 bank accounts which Assange pledged to reveal in 2011. We’re still waiting for the “full revelation” he promised… 

Of course, we haven’t forgotten this cringeworthy video of Assange lip-synching along to this Australian cheesy hit, as part of a publicity stunt for his election campaign to the Australian Senate. 

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