WikiLeaks, launched in 2007 under Julian Assange and The Sunshine Press organization, is a non-profit media organization that publishes important (and most of the time undercover) world news so the public can have access to it. People have the freedom to submit information through an anonymous drop box (or in person/ by postage) and then Wiki Journalists analyze the material, verify it, and write a news piece stating its significance to society.

Within the first year of its existence, WikiLeaks claimed a database of approximately 1.2 million leaked documents. The entire website relies heavily on volunteers, and there is much controversy surrounding the safety of these journalists; many could be imprisoned for publishing such high-classified documents. However, WikiLeaks has overcome legal acts to silence their organization, and have formed a solid security system.

Many of the recent documents posted on WikiLeaks are related to the war in Iraq, and they are known as the War Logs. Below is a screenshot of one of the posts by an anonymous journalist:

The controversy surrounding the idea is WikiLeaks is outstanding. Many believe that the website imposes great danger on the United States and its safety, and Assange has dealt with many persecutions against him and his website. Some things should be left private in order for a country to function properly, right?

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned the leaks, stating that “it puts the lives of the United States and its partners’ service members and civilians at risk.”

–Emma Bratman

Salam Pax, real name Salam Abdulmunem, created the blog “Where is Raed” during the invasion of the Iraq war in 2003. With the focus to discuss disappearances of people under the government of Sadam Hussein, Pax created one of the first instances of an individual’s blog having a widespread audience and impact.

Pax, born on in Baghdad in 1973, had an immense amount of international experience through travel. He was educated in Austria and returned to Iraq after his studies.

Originally, Pax had the idea to create his blog after he had been communicating to his friend, Raed, via email. He thought that blogging would be much more effective in keeping in touch with Raed during the war, because instead of getting a new email each time, Raed could just check the blog updates. Pax covered events that mainstream media sources had not; catastrophes that occurred in Baghdad such as bombings, fires and attacks. A sample of his blog can be viewed here:

With the inclusion of hyperlinks and photos, Pax’s blog is an example of new media technology.Because he incorporates his first hand accounts, personal experiences, and a bias view in his blog, Pax demonstrates how citizen journalism is an effective media tool in getting one’s point across. Here is a picture of a building after it was bombed, that mainstream media most likely would not have shown in the news:

With respectful words from Salam Pax himself:

“One day, like in Afghanistan, those journalists will get bored and go write about Syria or Iran; Iraq will be off your media radar. Out of sight, out of mind. Lucky you, you have that option. I have to live it.”

Rubbish… we will always be with you Salam!

-Emma Bratman