British Scandal Julian Assange | The Weird World of WikiLeaks | 4
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Feb 12, 2025 
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist James Ball shares his eye-opening experiences working alongside Julian Assange at WikiLeaks. He describes the chaotic, cult-like atmosphere and Assange’s unpredictable nature, revealing his 'pathological need to lie.' Ball discusses Assange’s controversial decisions, including a shocking response to a dangerous informant. He also reflects on WikiLeaks' moral failures and the complex legacy of both Assange and the organization, highlighting the clash between transparency and the safety of sources.
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Joining WikiLeaks
- James Ball, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, was recruited to WikiLeaks after analyzing leaked Iraq War documents.
- He met Assange in a Turkish restaurant and left with 390,000 classified documents.
Working at WikiLeaks
- Ball joined WikiLeaks and worked from the front room of a stately home with poor internet access.
- The team was small and inexperienced, contrary to the perceived image of a sophisticated organization.
Life at Ellingham Hall
- The team lived at Ellingham Hall, sleeping on camp beds and following strict house rules.
- They enjoyed formal meals in the dining room, creating a bizarre contrast with their work.