WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Julian Assange--detained in London on Tuesday--defended WikiLeaks as being a "fearless publisher" in an editorial published in Australian newspaper Wednesday.

Assange leveled WikiLeaks ascent to a new type of journalism--scientific journalism.

"We work with other media outlets to bring people the news, but also to prove it is true. Scientific journalism allows you to read a news story, then to click online to see the original document it is based on. That way you can judge for yourself: Is the story true? Did the journalist report it accurately?

Democratic societies need a strong media and WikiLeaks is part of that media. The media helps keep government honest. WikiLeaks has revealed some hard truths about the Iraq and Afghan wars, and broken stories about corporate corruption."

The gist of the editorial is directed at Australians, calling out Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. As it turns out, Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd announced later Wednesday that the Australian consulate in London would provide support to Assange, who is an Australian citizen. Assange contacted the consulate on Tuesday asking for help defending himself.

Assange says he is not anti-war, that other newspapers are also publishing this cable and that the U.S. should not be looking to charge him with treason.

"WikiLeaks has a four-year publishing history. During that time we have changed whole governments, but not a single person, as far as anyone is aware, has been harmed. But the US , with Australian government connivance, has killed thousands in the past few months alone."

Read the full editorial here.