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WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been freed after pleading guilty to a single US espionage charge, ending a 14-year legal battle. The deal, finalized in a Saipan courtroom, allowed him to return to his native Australia. While his release is celebrated by supporters, the case has profound implications for journalism and national security worldwide. In Canada, press freedom advocates are expressing relief but remain deeply concerned that the prosecution sets a dangerous precedent, potentially chilling the work of investigative journalists who handle classified information from allied nations.