WikiLeaks

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Overview

WikiLeaks logo

WikiLeaks is a non-profit organization launched in 2007 that provides a platform for the anonymous submission of sensitive or classified information for publication[1]. As of 2011, WikiLeaks has been responsible for the publication of documents including military procedural manuals, diplomatic communication, and the suppression of journalistic freedom and freedom of speech, etc.[1]

Given WikiLeaks' commitment to making government and corporate institutional activity more transparent, it has predictably been an object of scorn for such institutions around the world; as of late 2011, WikiLeaks had ceased publication due to a "blockade" by credit card companies, who had long been refusing to process donations to the company[2]. Only weeks later, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange lost an appeal against his extradition to Sweden to face allegations of rape[3], leaving the future of WikiLeaks uncertain.

The governmental and corporate response to WikiLeaks and the actions taken against Assange and others affiliated with the website come at a time of growing civilian unrest and demonstration against governmental and corporate suppression of human rights (e.g. the Arab Spring as well as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupy_movement the Occupy Movement.

Key Figures

Julian Assange

Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks

"We all only live once. So we are obligated to make good use of the time that we have and to do something that is meaningful and satisfying. [Exposing injustice] is something that I find meaningful and satisfying. That is my temperament. I enjoy creating systems on a grand scale, and I enjoy helping people who are vulnerable. And I enjoy crushing bastards. So it is enjoyable work.[4]" -Julian Assange


Assange's youth was highly erratic; he and his mother were members of the controversial religious group "The Fellowship", also known as "The Family.[5]" After fleeing The Fellowship due to his mother's abusive boyfriend[5] attending over thirty schools around Australia, Assange eventually found a niche as a hobbyist computer hacker, infiltrating (but not leaking) high-security government servers[5]

As an adult, Assange started the first ISP in Australia before moving into a publishing career with occasional forays into journalism[6], ultimately founding WikiLeaks.

After attracting sufficient worldwide attention through his work with WikiLeaks, Assange was arrested in late 2010 on a Swedish warrant stating he was wanted for questioning regarding allegations of rape. He served an ad hoc house arrest, wherein he was granted bail upon agreeing to be monitored, comply with a curfew, and forfeit his passport among other conditions, until his appeal to the extradition was rejected in November 2011 [7]

Bradley E. Manning

Bradley E. Manning

Manning was arrested in May 2010 while serving in Iraq with the US Army following suspicion that he had submitted classified documents to WikiLeaks[8]. Despite Manning's and Assange's refusal to comment on this claim, a media blitz ensued and, given his status as a US soldier, Manning became a household name. He continues to serve as an important figure for WikiLeaks supporters in attempts at showcasing governmental self-interest and cruelty: there have been numerous reports of his declining health[9] as well as speculation over the potential illegality of the conditions in which Manning is being kept. As of late 2011, a UN torture expert (who was denied private access to Manning) will be preparing a repot on whether or not his detention violates international standards[10].

Ethical Issues

WikiLeaks has brought a number of ethical issues across a wide array of subject areas to the world's attention. It is an especially intriguing case study for examining ethical issues; WikiLeaks claims to be working against corruption and towards transparency, which both seem to align with the values of a Democratic government. The wholesale opposition to WikiLeaks from global icons of Democracy indicates a rich field of ethical inquiry on that front.

Net Neutrality

Whistleblowing

The Obama administration has taken definite actions in the past to protect whistleblowers or to defend their actions[11][12]. However, in the case of WikiLeaks the US government finds itself in the position of having sensitive information exposed, and the severity of Manning's detention is a clear indication that the Obama administration will not tolerate such action. The administration's clear support of a murdered Russian whistleblower in banning several Russian officials affiliated with the murder from entering the US[11] demonstrates apparent hypocrisy; leaking details of gross misbehavior on the part of other countries is an admirable act in its consideration, but detailing gross misbehavior by the US is treason. This issue carries over into the private sector as well; countless scandals have been leaked connecting private firms to environmental pollution, tax evasion, workplace discrimination, etc. The Obama administration's harsh treatment[9] of a case as widely covered as Manning's could influence the nation's ethical evaluation of whistleblowing negatively, which could prove to hinder the Democratic ideals of transparency and anti-corruption.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 WikiLeaks.org
  2. Hope, Christopher: WikiLeaks' money woes brings end to leak of secrets. The Telegraph (UK) 24 October 2011
  3. Larson, Erik: WikiLeaks founder Assange to be extradited to Sweden to face rape claim. The Washington Post 2 November 2011
  4. Julian Assange in an interview with Der Spiegel (Germany) 26 July 2010
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Welch, Dylan: Inside the strange world of Julian Assange. Sydney Morning Herald 15 October 2011
  6. Greenberg, Andy: An Interview With WikiLeaks' Julain Assance. Forbes 29 November 2010
  7. extradition
  8. United States Division-Center release No. 20100706-01
  9. 9.0 9.1 Brooke, Heather: Bradley Manning's health deteriorating in jail, supporters say. The Guardian (UK) 16 December 2010
  10. TalkRadioNews: UN Torture Expert To Report On Bradley Manning Detention. 18 October 2011
  11. 11.0 11.1 Lally, Kathy: U.S. puts Russian officials on visa blacklist. The Washington Post 25 July 2011
  12. Abrams, Jim: Congress moves to protect Peace Corps volunteers. Associated Press 1 November 2011