How do such tactics differ from the Washington Post, New York Times, CNN, and MSNBC? Are those operations not journalists? Assange is in a cage because, after being cleared of any wrongdoing vis-a-vis the sexual assault complaints, a "special prosecutor" decided she had to speak to him in person, i.e. get him in a venue subject to U.S. extradition.

Everything you just said is completely irrelevant to Assange's credibility as a journalist. Just because he's a martyr doesn't mean he's a good, ethical, or honest person.