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WikiLeaks is an organization dedicated to unearthing sensitive material, often pertaining to government affairs.
This group attempts to bring to light documents or stories that would otherwise be censored to a normal journalist. In this way, the site almost acts as an extension of the Freedom of Information Act, which provides the disclosure of full or partial government documents.
WikiLeaks, in order to maintain their number of submissions, provides complete anonymity for those who submit the documents and, by doing so, allow for a style of reporting that could almost be considered one of a vigilante.
In the past, the site has released such items as the Guantanamo Bay procedures and protocol, the contents of Sarah Palin’s personal e-mail account, Internet censorship lists, and thousands of other documents pertaining to a wide variety of subjects.
Recently, however, this web site has been under fire by the United States government. As can be seen on WikiLeaks Twitter account, the government, specifically the CIA, has been attempting to track down and shut down the WikiLeaks operation.
Why they are doing this is fairly obvious: many of the documents the Web site releases are classified and censored by various governments or organizations. As far as they are concerned, the documents are classified for a reason.
WikiLeaks is remaining resilient and defiant, even in the face of this trouble, which is heartening. Yes, what WikiLeaks does is slightly extreme, but it might be an extreme that people need.
The site has been praised by may major news sources for it invaluable services and it’s ability to protect the identities of the people who submit to the site. In truth, when one stops to think about the mere existence of the site, WikiLeaks almost becomes an indispensable member of the media.
WikiLeaks can do what every other news organization cannot: speak the truth with impunity.
While that very concept is somewhat disconcerting, it helps to add to the freedom of the speech that every citizen of the United States is guaranteed.
Therefore, in this time of uncertainty for a group that has dedicated itself to bringing information to the people and protecting the people who provide it, we owe our support to this group of people.
Anything from simply reading some of the stories that WikiLeaks breaks to supporting them monetarily will help their cause.
WikiLeaks has attempted to preserve American freedom since it’s inception and if we want to see that continue now, they need our support.
