Wikileaks is developing an uncensorable Wikipedia for untraceable mass document leaking and analysis. Our primary interests are oppressive regimes in Asia, the former Soviet bloc, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, but we also expect to be of assistance to those in the west who wish to reveal unethical behavior in their own governments and corporations. We aim for maximum political impact; this means our interface is identical to Wikipedia and usable by non-technical people. We have received over 1.2 million documents so far from dissident communities and anonymous sources.
We believe that transparency in government activities leads to reduced corruption, better government and stronger democracies. Many governments would benefit from increased scrutiny by the world community, as well as their own people. We believe this scrutiny requires information. Historically that information has been costly - in terms of human life and human rights. Wikileaks will facilitate safety in the ethical leaking movement.
Wikileaks opens leaked documents up to a much more exacting scrutiny than any media organization or intelligence agency could provide. Wikileaks will provide a forum for the entire global community to examine any document for credibility, plausibility, veracity and falsifiability. They will be able to interpret documents and explain their relevance to the public. If a document comes from the Chinese government, the entire Chinese dissident community can freely scrutinize and discuss it; if a document arrives from Iran, the entire Farsi community can analyze it and put it in context. Our first sample analysis is available from the news page, providing a look into the future of what Wikileaks can provide.
In its landmark ruling on the Pentagon Papers, the US Supreme Court ruled that "only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government." We agree.
The ruling stated that "paramount among the responsibilities of a free press is the duty to prevent any part of the government from deceiving the people and sending them off to distant lands to die of foreign fevers and foreign shot and shell."
We believe that it is not only the people of one country that keep their government honest, but also the people of other countries who are watching that government. That is why the time has come for an anonymous global avenue for disseminating documents the public should see.
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First spotted on Pseudonymity
At a cursory glance, Wikileaks seems like a good idea.
ReplyDeleteHowever, there are pitfalls.
I ask myself "If I were a statist, and I know about Wikileaks, what would I do?"
Some dumb governments will try their best to shut them down, block the site from their citizens — in other words do what ALL governments attempt to do and ultimately fail, that is try to REGULATE citizens behaviour by PROHIBITION.
But the very best statists, that is the most ruthless, cunning and dastardly clever will simply "leak" documents on purpose.
In addressing that issue, the FAQ on Wikileaks has this reply:
|> Furthermore, misleading leaks and misinformation are already well placed in the mainstream media, as recent history shows, an obvious example being the lead-up to the Iraq war. Peddlers of misinformation will find themselves undone by Wikileaks, equipped as it is to scrutinize leaked documents in a way that no mainstream media outlet is capable of. <|
Really? A stunning claim, which I just don't buy. Sorry.
This has an air of media vs blogger/internet whatchamacallits Dick Sizing Contest.
Folks, you don't have to be a Ex-Spurt to know that your state is fucking with your freedom, and the government of the day is fucking with your life.
> transparency in government activities leads to [1] reduced corruption, [2] better government and [3] stronger democracies. <
[1] No, transparency doesn't lead to "reduced corruption". The methods of corruption simply changes.
That's like saying "having the death penalty reduces the number of murders" — an utter non sequitur
[2] There is but one sure fire way of getting a "better government". And that is to REDUCE the size of government, DIMINISH the powers of arbitrary interference by The State, and to peremptorily expunge ALL LAWS created to prosecute victimless crimes.
[3] "Stronger democracies", why and for what purpose? Freedom? Surely you jest!
Look at The People's Democratic Republic of Lao. You wanna be like that? Or look at Switzerland — a direct democracy par excellence.
Ever wonder why these two democracies are so different? The wealthy one — Switzerland — has loads of freedom, and every citizen is EMPOWERED and to defend their freedoms.
However, The People's Democratic Republic of Lao, is in the economic sewer. There might be "freedom" in the sense that the state is so ineffective, but the amount of individual empowerment — so necessary for the defense of freedom — is almost non-existent.
The People Get The Government They Deserve.
> We believe that it is not only the people of one country that keep their government honest, but also the people of other countries who are watching that government. <
That's just outright nonsense.
Intelligent people, organised into groups as well as single individuals have been watching the US Govt for nearly a century. Now the US Govt is the only global superpower, and has the military might to back it up.
The people will always get the government they deserve. If the people aren't willing — on the individual level — to be constantly vigilant about their freedom and liberty, and if they "let it slide" instead of defending their rights every time their government tries to "get one thru", then The People will reap the result of their carelessness. (i.e. couldn't care-less)
Back to the example of the US Government:
America is probably one of the most democratic and transparent countries. Almost everyone it seems knows the US Government is up to no good. There are leaks all over the place. There are botched plans, incidences of corruption and outright disinformation. These buggers are CONSTANTLY being caught out.
Come election time, any impropriety is quickly exposed. Attempted hijacks to the democratic process are openly reported... scandals come to light... people are caught lying, cheating and stealing. Many ordinary people — on every side of the political compass — already know that there are a lot of dirty scoundrels in US politics.
Shit, the "dirtier" you are, the more media you'll get. Probably get invites from Jay Leno and Dave Letterman, maybe even Oprah.
Despite all this scrutiny, and being caught out time and again... the US Govt still goes on doing what it does best: fucking with everyone's freedom, and giving the world a shit paper currency which keeps subsidises the US citizens' consumption at the expense of the US blue-collar worker and the workers in the countries of their trading partners.
... and the world is still watching the US Government. Was anyone successful in stopping the US Govts elaborate program of interference in Iraq?
Not even the UN could stop them.
The only ones who can effectively stop the US Government from its crusade for global dominance and supremacy is the American people themselves. Because every country gets the government they deserve.
P.S.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the Abbie Hoffman quote on Wikileaks homepage.
Abbie was an advocate for free speech in the truest sense, and as irreverent as they come said:
“If I could not say fuck, how would I be able to say fuck the government?”
I agree. As do some others apparently.