In my role as Wikileaks editor, I've been involved in fighting off many legal attacks. To do that, and keep our sources safe, we have had to spread assets, encrypt everything, and move telecommunications and people around the world to activate protective laws in different national jurisdictions.

Julian Assange’s quote highlights the complex and high-stakes nature of his work as the editor of Wikileaks, an organization known for its role in publishing sensitive and often classified information. Assange details the legal attacks Wikileaks has faced, which have required strategic measures to protect both the organization’s assets and its sources. In response to these threats, Wikileaks has had to take several proactive steps, including spreading assets, encrypting everything, and moving telecommunications and people to different parts of the world. These actions were taken to activate protective laws in various national jurisdictions, demonstrating the international scope of Wikileaks’ operations.

The main idea of Assange’s statement is that the legal threats against Wikileaks have been so significant that the organization has had to constantly adapt its operational security and legal strategy. The need for encryption and global mobility reflects the precarious position Wikileaks and its staff occupy, facing potential legal action in multiple countries. By employing tactics like these, Assange suggests that Wikileaks has been able to keep both its journalistic integrity and its sources safe while maintaining the ability to continue its work under intense scrutiny.

This quote also emphasizes the international nature of legal protections in the digital age. Assange speaks to the jurisdictional complexities that arise when an organization operates globally, often needing to navigate different legal frameworks across various countries. The reference to protective laws in various jurisdictions suggests the importance of finding legal loopholes or supportive legal environments that can help shield Wikileaks from prosecution or interference in specific regions.

The origin of this quote comes from Julian Assange, the founder and former editor of Wikileaks, a platform known for its publication of classified documents and materials from whistleblowers. Assange’s comment underscores the intense legal battles Wikileaks has faced over the years, including efforts by various governments to curb its operations. His quote reflects the broader tension between press freedom, national security, and the legal systems that regulate digital media and information-sharing platforms.