Assange to interview leaders on new TV series

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has announced that he will soon host a television series comprising interviews with "key political players, thinkers and revolutionaries" from around the world.

Assange, who is currently awaiting hearing in the Supreme Court against his extradition to Sweden, said the 10-part series would be based on "the world tomorrow" and feature interviews with "iconoclasts, visionaries and power insiders".

The theme of the series will be "the world tomorrow," he said in a statement on the website.

"Through this series I will explore the possibilities for our future in conversations with those who are shaping it. Are we heading towards utopia, or dystopia and how we can set our paths?"  

Assange said: "This is an exciting opportunity to discuss the vision of my guests in a new style of show that examines their philosophies and struggles in a deeper and clearer way than has been done before."  

The WikiLeaks founder is currently on bail, having been detained under a European arrest warrant issued by Swedish prosecutors over allegations that he sexually assaulted two women during a visit to Sweden in August 2010.

Assange denies the allegation. The new television series, WikiLeaks said, would begin broadcasts in mid-March, but did not reveal details on where the series would broadcast or on which networks.

Initial licensing commitments as covering more than "600 million viewers across cable, satellite and terrestrial broadcast networks," it said.

The release said: "Upheavals and revolutions in West Asia have commenced an era of political change that is still unfolding.

"In the West, the deterioration of the rule of law has demonstrated the bankruptcy of once leading political institutions and ideologies. The internet has never been so strong, or so much under attack."

It said: "At this pivotal moment there is an awareness of the need to radically rethink the world around us. WikiLeaks, as the world's boldest publisher, has been at the front line of this global movement for understanding and change."

The WikiLeaks statement described Assange as "one of the world's most recognisable revolutionary figures. Both a pioneer for a more just world and a victim of political repression, he is uniquely placed to catalyse a global discussion on how to go forward."

The statement added: "In recognition of this, Assange will draw together controversial voices from across the political spectrum - iconoclasts, visionaries and power insiders - each to offer a window on the world tomorrow and their ideas on how to secure a brighter future."