Wikileaks and Transparency

Wikileaks.

Out of curiosity, I googled...and guess what. Explorer would not let me view the site.

But....I found there is a way to get to the site and I could not believe how easy it was.

There were suggestions for making secret contributions. The clandestine methods are like being in the CIA for heaven's sake, but add up to a really interesting concept.

Transparency.

As Americans and traditionalists, we think of ourselves as free thinkers with unlimited access to information and a constitutional right to free speech.

Well, think again.

I have been studying journalism ethics and we are cautioned to use our abilities in a responsible manner. I wonder if folks realize that Wikileaks is really about transparency.

Speaking out and sharing controversy is nothing new and we are sure it is possible in the United States. But you know, there is a pile of stuff with TOP SECRET stamped all over it. Some of that is relatively benign like what came out in the past two weeks about diplomatic relations among the countries we have been dealing with. One country commented to Secretary of State Clinton that "you should hear what we said about you..." Now that sounds like adults, giggling a bit but not taking things too seriously.

What is serious here is CENSORSHIP.

Since the internet started about 40 years ago, it has been mostly self policed. Now there is a possiblity that things might change due to this "Cyber Gate". I heard that term today but can't remember where so I am unable to attribute, but think it is going to be a term you hear many times in the next weeks.

Wikileaks performs a function. Truth is absolute and truth is good. There is a conviction that popping a blister makes it heal faster. Wikileaks has spent four years as a non profit entity in order to let whistleblowers of all kinds have a platform. Sometimes facts should be made public because revealing them will make society better in the long run.

As a journalist, it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. To think that I would have to avoid stores with cameras, avoid purchasing CD's that can be traced if one wants to use them for filing complaints with WL, to watch for surveillance when preparing documents, choosing a post office that is far from home...on and on....

Whistle blowing or divulging the truth about some entity or issue should be encouraged not censored. The current Wikileaks' discussion really underscores the threat of censoring.

The jury is out on Wikileak, but as the world continues to exploit the details of the current WL scandal, let us not forget that this is really about censorship.

This is not about spreading untruths for malicious intent or personal gain, but rather about sharing truth with the world in order to make it a better place for everyone.

Have a nice day.