'News World Order - the war on journalism'

Satirical WikiLeaks rap featuring cameo by Julian Assange becomes internet hit | Mail Online

He doesn't appreciate questions on his personal life and he's caused the biggest diplomatic uproar in decades - but at least Julian Assange can laugh at himself.

Footage has emerged on the internet of controversial WikiLeaks founder making a cameo appearance on a satirical rap show.

Australian internet hit 'Rap News' features Mr Assange on an edition entitled 'News World Order - the war on journalism', and also pokes fun at Donald Rumsfeld and and TV host Bill O'Reilly.

The six-minute skit is the work of university researcher Giordano Nanni, 32, and English teacher Hugo Farrant, 30, whose political satire set to a hip hop beat has already achieved cult stats on YouTube.
Parody: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange appears in a cameo in an internet rap video about his website

Parody: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange appears in a cameo in an internet rap video about his website

Mr Assange contacted the pair after seeing a previous edition about the Pentagon's reaction to WikiLeaks releasing secret diplomatic cables.

The Melbourne-based pair said: 'He really felt that we'd nailed it, so the possibility of going to London and collaborating on a new episode in the lead-up to the Iraq War Diaries was mooted.

'We jumped at the chance and were on planes withing a fortnight.'

After meeting with Mr Assange, the pair said it seemed logical to offer him a role in their parody and despite some initial hesitancy, the WikiLeaks boss was 'totally up for it'.

It took several takes, but Mr Assange managed to get the rhythm and chimed in with the rap, performed by Mr Farrant.

He said: 'He was full of creative ideas for how to act and time the entrance, and he really enjoyed lampooning his own image.

'It was fantastic - we're still pinching ourselves. He's a preternaturally calm person, but with a great sense of humour.'

The edition attacks U.S. reasons for invading Iraq, as well as the detention of prisoners in Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay prisons.

Despite his 'incredibly hectic schedule' - including the leaking of the American diplomatic cables and his arrest over alleged sex assault in Sweden, Mr Farrant and Mr Nanni said Assange kept in touch with an 'occasional message shooting through the ether'.

They added: 'It means a lot, of course.

'Our intention with this project was to provide a meaningful contribution to the media discourse around certain issues, so to get access to such an influential figure... was very gratifying indeed.'