|
|
Started in 2007 by Sunshine Press and run by Australian publisher, journalist, computer programmer, and Internet activist, Julian Assange, WikiLeaks has caused immense controversy and debate around the topic of freedom of speech and the media.
The website is based on the premise that all governments should practice openness and transparency. It functions through leaked information that can be passed to them by anyone and through a variety of means. WikiLeaks promises these people anonymity. The information (whether documents, photos, or videos) is thoroughly checked to make sure it is genuine. The leaked information is then published on the website in its original form along with a news story created by the journalists of WikiLeaks.81
“Better scrutiny leads to reduced corruption and stronger democracies in all society’s institutions, including government, corporations and other organisations.”82 This statement is taken from the WikiLeaks website and sums up their belief system, which they believe is doing right and is beneficial. The website and its supporters hail it as an important landmark for free speech in the media, specifically pointing to its ability to cause the “world’s media…[to] work together.”83
Nonetheless, the website has come across much attack. Its most significant release of information was in 2010 when the website released 260,000 U.S. diplomatic cables and a video from Afghanistan. The information was passed to WikiLeaks from within the U.S. Army itself. Bradley Manning, a U.S. army intelligence analyst stationed in Baghdad, accessed and downloaded this confidential data. When he was turned in by a friend, he was immediately arrested.
WikiLeaks was then taken to court by the U.S. government and Julian Assange was later arrested on sexual charges though few were ignorant of the other issues at stake. While this may have been a step forward for the first amendment, the cables caused disruption in various foreign relations. It was hardly easy to ignore the various insulting comments towards foreign leaders that were prevalent in the cables.84 Tim Wu, a professor at Columbia Law School, noted, the U.S. should not go after Assange because it would undermine their image of democracy and transparency. This was especially important considering their campaigns in the Middle East.85
Another problem that arose from WikiLeaks’ operations concerned the anonymity of their sources. Although they say they protect their sources’ identities, four hundred name of Afghanis who had helped the U.S. efforts in Afghanistan were found in the leaked cables. This was picked up by opponents of WikiLeaks, who pointed out the immense danger in which these people were now in.86
WikiLeaks represents a step forward for the media and free speech but it faces a constant battle from those who seek to shut it down. It puts into question whether there are any government secrets that are better kept out of the public eye.
81 WikiLeaks. What is Wikileaks?.
82 Ibid.
83 Ibid.
84 Calabresi, Massimo. “WikiLeaks’ War on Secrecy: Truth’s Consequences.” Time Magazine. December 2, 2010.
85 Wu, Tim. “Drop the Case Against Assange.” Foreign Policy. February 4, 2011.
86 Reals, Tucker. “WikiLeaks Reportedly Outs 100s of Afghan Informants.” CBS News World Watch. July 28, 2010.
Next: Conclusion