WikiLeaks is a non-profit media outlet which was established in 2007 by Australian Internet Activist Julian Assange and The Sunshine Press organization. The goal of WikiLeaks is to mass publicize private, secret and classified information which is being withheld from the public at large. Although the organization has faced severe counterattacks in the form of law suits and threats, within one year it had already made public over 1.2 million private documents and this number has grown substantially since then.  But how does an organization like this work? It’s quite simple. WikiLeaks combines investigative journalism and top of the line security in an effort to bring information to the public. First, a source will voluntarily submit the leaked material in person, by mail or the most recommended option, through a secure, anonymous drop box. Next, WikiLeaks journalists analyze the information, verify it and a new story is formed. Finally, both the WikiLeaks news story and the original leaked material are published side by side on the website to prove to the reader what WikiLeaks is reporting on is authentic and viable. And so far, through this process WikiLeaks has been able to successful in verifying every document that it has sent out into the public.

When I think of WikiLeaks another organization called OpenLeaks comes to mind, which was established in 2010.  OpenLeaks has similar goals in mind as WikiLeaks and was inspired by much of its success. Their aim was to make the spreading of leaked material more widespread in a way that does not endanger the lives of those who wish to reveal information. However, they differ to WikiLeaks in that they do not receive or transmit any documents; instead they provide a platform for other networks of people to send out information that is vital to society.

In July 2010, 92,000 documents covering the war in Afghanistan to prominent newspapers such as The New York Times, The Guardian and Der Spiegel. Then in October, in the largest leak of confidential information ever known, approximately 400,000 documents regarding the U.S treatment of Iraqi authorities surfaced. The leaked materials became known as the Iraq War Logs and told an astonishing story of war through the eyes of American soldiers. Among many other findings, the Iraq War Logs exposed that 15, 000 civilian deaths had not be reported by the US government and that US soldiers killed almost 700 civilians for coming too close to checkpoints. Not only that but they show how US authorities failed to investigate allegations regarding the rape, torture and abuse by the Iraqi police.

Much debate has been surrounding the question of whether WikiLeaks can be considered a journalistic organization. This presentation has taught me that WikiLeaks is in fact a form of investigative journalism and a good one at that. The very purpose of journalism is dig up dirt on issues that will interest the public regardless of any efforts to conceal the information. The fact that WikiLeaks has paired with major newspapers like The New York Times and their intense fact checking makes the War Logs legitimate. While some argue that WikiLeaks is a national security threat and others insist Assange is committing espionage, I believe that WikiLeaks is simply doing what needs to be done in revealing the bold truth behind war and that is worth the risks they take.

I enjoyed watching WikiRebels: The Documentary which takes a fascinating look at  how Wikileaks is having a profound effect on transparency and the way governments need to change how they release information. It includes interviews with Founder, Julian Assange and Co-Founder, Kristinn Hrafnsson as well as a number of analysts.