To Leak or not to Leak....

 "...States have national security concerns, we do not.....we have concerns about human beings" Assange (cited in Cadwalladr).

WIKILEAKS... is a non-profit organisation, explained as a new form of investigative journalism, (Kinsman 2011), that provides everyone with a chance to share and receive news and information through an anonymous channel; referred to as an "electronic drop box" (Wikileaks.org 2013). The goal is to update and inform the public sphere.

 

Initiated by Julian Assange in 2006, WikiLeaks is based upon the principle of freedom of speech and media publishing, in particular Article 19 which states that "everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers" (Wikilieaks.org 2013). 

To find out more, visit http://wikileaks.org/About.html 

 

WikiLeaks agenda claims to provide truth to everyday citizens and their main way of doing this is to make governments and other powerful authorities accountable through 'transparency'....

Bertot, Jaeger and Grimes (2010) suggest that transparency, particularly through governments, is now regarded internationally, as "essential to democratic participation, trust in government, prevention of corruption".  Assange defends that this is exactly what WikiLeaks is produced around and the leaks are fulfilling a gap and providing a service to society.  This supports Henry Jenkin's view  that participatory and convergence culture enables ways to 'democratize and diversify who gets to participate in our culture' (Jenkins 2014).

Kinsman (2011) also confirms that WikiLeaks is part of the revolution of participatory culture, whereby it plays a large role in 're-shaping the relationship between citizens and the state', supplying humans with far more power and information, than ever before.

The controversy...

With this new movement of public involvement and participation, there has been much controversy in particular to  founder Julian Assange, as to whether he is a activist, terrorist, hactivist, or just a plain whistleblower - see this interview to decide... 

 

Some posit that WikiLeaks is immoral, breaches privacy and in the case of the '250,000 diplomatic cable leaks' viewed as vandalism, whilst also producing scepticism and unnecessary concern, which threatens  national leaders and security.  Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton claims that the leaks “..puts people’s lives in danger, threatens our national security, and undermines [US] efforts to work with other countries to solve shared problems" (cited in Kinsman 2011).Despite accusations like this, there has been little to prove that Julian Assange is liable for any activity that crosses any legal boundaries.  The Supreme Court rules that WikiLeaks was in its legal jurisdiction to 'accept and publish such leaks' (Kinsman 2011).  In comparison, one's like Private Bradford Manning who allegedly smuggled information on Afghanistan to Assange, are likely to be liable for breaching codes of conduct and privacy. 

 

In this case of the cable leaks, the leaked documents were extended to over 700 internet sites, not including the newspapers which Assange sent information to.  Interestingly, though it is alleged that Assange actually withheld some information that was reported as "salacious without being significant" (Kinsman 2011).  This to me, illustrates two key elements; one is the scope and coverage that WikiLeaks has, secondly, that the motive of providing useful, informative information may just be the main goal of WikiLeaks, rather than as suggested; acts of terrorism, destruction or troublemaking. 

 To gain further insight on Julian Assange, take a look at this interview...

What the future holds...
Some argue that WikiLeaks will create stricter legislation on publishing information and increased surveillance and security facilitating greater restrictions and secrecy in Governments.  Alternatively, WikiLeaks if carried on, will foster greater democracy and truth, but possibly more social conflict and mayhem!

My thoughts are this...
WikiLeaks is quite within its rights, like everyone other citizen; to publicly share information that is provided to them.  I think that the awareness of this accountability and transparency should ensure that governments, authorities and individual leaders become more diligent and honest through their work as they know that their every move can be circulated globally for intense scrutiny!

References

Anon., 2013. Julian Assange Asylum Seeker - 60 Minutes Australia, s.l.: s.n.

Asaange, 2006. Wikileaks. [Online]
Available at: http://wikileaks.org/wiki/Category:Australia
[Accessed 19 January 2013].

Bertot, J. C., Jaeger, P. T. & Grimes, J. M., 2010. Using ICT's to create a culture of transparency: E-government and social media as openness and anti-corruption tools for societies. Government Information Quarterly, 27(3), pp. 264-271.

Cadwalladr, C., n.d. Julian Assange, monk of the online age who thrives on intellectual battle. [Online]
Available at: http://tm.thiememeulenhoff.nl/waspreporter/201000/?pagkey=201000
[Accessed 22 January 2014].

Jenkins, H., 2014. Confessions of an Aca-Fan - The Official weblog of Henry Jenkins. [Online]
Available at: http://henryjenkins.org/
[Accessed 19 January 2014].

Kinsman, J., 2011. Truth and consequence: The Wikileaks saga. [Online]
Available at: http://www.irpp.org/en/po/from-climate-change-to-clean-energy/truth-and-consequence-the-wikileaks-saga/
[Accessed 19 January 2013].

Leigh, D., 2010. US embassy cables leak sparks global diplomatic crisis. [Online]
Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/28/us-embassy-cable-leak-diplomacy-crisis
[Accessed 19 January 2013].