ABC - Egypt and Wikileaks. Guest - John Pilger (Feb 14, 2011)

Australian Broadcasting. Q and A, Egypt and Wikileaks. Guest John Pilger

Panelists
John Pilger - author and journalist
Lydia Khalil - Middle East specialist
Greg Sheridan - The Australian's foreign editor
Craig Emerson - Minister for Trade
Helen Coonan - Former Communications Minister

Here are the questions our panel faced this week. Tell us what your answer would be or what you think our panelists need to say.

EGYPT – MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD
ADRIANA ABU ABARA asked: Following the newly established military rule in Egypt, how legitimate is the fear that the Muslim Brotherhood will be the most likely to lead the country?

EGYPT – US HYPOCRISY
RORY NOSWORTHY asked: How can America justifying supporting nations with no attempt to implement democracy, such as Mubarak’s Egypt, whilst invading Iraq on the grounds of a repressive regime?

EGYPT/ISRAEL
DANE STERN asked: Do you think whoever wins Egypt's elections in September would be wise to maintain the peace treaty with Israel?

WIKILEAKS – AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT
CAROLYN BARRY asked: The Australian Government was quick to label Julian Assange a criminal despite the fact that he has not been charged with any crime and despite the fact that the information he released has been embarrassing at worst. Shouldn't a government that is so fervently intent on bringing democracy to the Middle East, practice what it preaches?

ASSANGE/HICKS
COLLEEN ENCHELMAIER asked: To Craig Emerson, Has the government considered that Julian Assange will become the David Hicks of the Gillard government if he is extradited to the USA or held in a Swedish jail?

WIKILEAKS - SEXUAL MISCONDUCT?
REBECCA MORET asked: In the wake of charges of sexual assault being laid against Julian Assange, an incredible wave of misogynistic abuse was directed at Assange's alleged victims by some supporters of Wikileaks. My question to the panel is, do you believe that, Julian Assange should be afforded heroic status and considered above reproach at the expense of affording appropriate weight to the investigation of serious allegations?

ABBOTT TRIAL BY MEDIA
FERRY LEE asked: While Tony Abbott’s “shit happens” comments could be construed in a number of different ways, what was the media’s role in making it the story that it is today? Was it a fair story and a real issue or was Tony Abbott under trial by media?