Reuters reports that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange "appeared in good health" but was also mumbling and stuttering, like he could not remember his name and date of birth. The way it is reported it's as if Assange has a verbal tic and maybe this is another aspect of his eccentric personality. There is no context. So, here's some that would be useful to readers. On May 9, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer visited the Belmarsh prison, where Assange is confined. Two medical experts, who specialize in examining potential victims of torture and abuse, accompanied Melzer and conducted a medical assessment. “Mr. Assange showed all symptoms typical for prolonged exposure to psychological torture, including extreme stress, chronic anxiety, and intense psychological trauma,” one expert concluded. The expert added, “[He] has been deliberately exposed, for a period of several years, to progressively severe forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the cumulative effects of which can only be described as psychological torture.” What is tacked on at the bottom of the report is pablum to satisfy two audiences—the people who may think Reuters was too sympathetic to Assange and the people who may think Reuters was too hostile to Assange. "Admirers have hailed..." but "his detractors..." It demonstrates the surface level understanding defined by conventional wisdom that permeates this reporting on an administrative hearing in a critical case. In fact, at no point in the report do the words "Espionage Act" appear. Reuters never bothers to call attention to the significance of prosecuting a journalist under this 1917 law.

A just-the-facts look at the ongoing and long-running referenced matter. The writer belies no bias and merely lays out the current state of affairs. Mildly speculative as to the mental state of the individual in question but that can be forgiven. Contextually relevant in the broader scope of this tale and nicely compact in detailing such. Prospective readers, even those who have not followed this story from the beginning, will find themselves brought up to speed and generally well-informed after having read it.