Wikileaks- (somewhat) Old Information, Relevant Ideas

http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/security/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=223900094

I'm all for transparency, internet freedom, etc., but I believe there is a distinct difference between publishing uncensored, unfiltered dissent against your own government and publishing classified Military and/or Intelligence information.

However, as Wikileaks supporters and freedom of information advocates would most likely agree, the point of transparency is keeping the government honest.

So where do we draw the line? Although Wikileaks has broken stories and launched investigative journalism pieces that could provide vital information to the public, is it not a bit unsettling to know that that 'classified' U.S. government information can be accessed all over the world by anyone with a computer and the internet?

Plus, like Twitter and blogging sites, documents/information posted on Wikileaks should first be examined for their legitimacy. And, since the identity of the person who leaks the classified information is, well, classified, then it is nearly impossible to trace who posts the documents.

As described in this Culture Show report, Wikileaks really is 'changing the game' for investigative journalists, most notably putting them out of work while the blogosphere takes over.

I have conflicting personal opinions on this issue. On one hand, I believe there is nothing more important to the advancement of Democracy throughout the world than internet freedom and transparency. But leaking classified information on U.S. government activities that can be accessed anywhere could easily become a valuable tool for terrorist groups around the globe.

The most reasonable solution the U.S. government can take (and is taking, according to the article below) is to locate the source of the leaks and make sure no more classified information can be published.

As for Wikileaks, the site is experiencing a lack of funding and will not see a return to full operational status until they receive some much-needed support from their supporters, including: The Associated Press, Hearst Corporation, The Electronic Frontier Foundation, and the ACLU.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-20000469-38.html

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military/2010/0726/WikiLeaks-Why-national-security-isn-t-Obama-s-biggest-concern