Debating whether Julian Assange is a journalist is irrelevant. He changed journalism forever | Margaret Simons

But he didn't foresee that lies, conspiracy theories and misinformation would ride the internet as easily as truth and transparency

The two most consequential Australians in history are surely Rupert Murdoch and Julian Assange. Germaine Greer would come a distant third.

Unsurprisingly, Assange and Murdoch have gained their notoriety through journalism and the media. More surprising - but significant - is the fact both of them could be described as libertarians.