I'm disappointed by the failure to work with some of the really good reporters, simply because they're good at what they do. But it's hard to argue that circumventing mainstream news is somehow inherently wrong at this point.

If someone pressed Assange on this matter, I imagine he'd point out that he has more experience examining and organizing major leaks than almost any reporter. And, further, that he trusts himself more than he trusts the objectivity of reporters.

Now, I can disagree on those claims, and I think I do, but there's no particular reason an experienced data-handler is inherently wrong for not using reporters.

That's a really good point. And to think, I grew up pre-Internet, and have forgotten all about that!