WIkiLeaks: Our New Best Friend

It’s hard to turn on a TV or read a newspaper without seeing the name WikiLeaks or the website’s director Julian Assange. So what’s the big deal about posting leaked documents on a website? Some say it puts us at risk with other nations and threatens our homeland security, I believe those people are just angry some of their not-so-proud statements are now exposed. Should we really be concerned with the ugly details that are coming out of these documents, or should we be concerned that investigative journalism has been somewhat weak until recently? Our nation runs off checks and balances, and WikiLeaks, is our newest balance.

Just as the American people felt entitled to the leaked tapes and documents in the Watergate scandal, they still want that type of government knowledge. People do not want to blindly hold the hand of our leaders. It is no secret that the government has made some pretty big mistakes, and that throughout history, many people in power have attempted (successful or not) to cover these things up. It is important that we put knowledge back into the people's hands to keep our democracy running properly. This is why WikiLeaks is a great journalistic tool, especially in today's society where distrust in the government is at an all time high.

Many people were also up in arms about a 2007 video that the website posted, showing U.S. Troops killing a group of Iraq citizens, including 2 Reuter’s journalists. The half hour video shows no indication of the attacked engaging in combat, and the US soldiers are heard joking about their kills, even laughing as a US armed vehicle runs over one of the deceased’s body. Does this look good for America? No, it does not; however, it does show how bad the situation in Iraq is getting. Just as the anti-war movement for Vietnam was largely due to the media coverage of the US deaths and atrocities, I believe the released documents and videos coming out of Iraq and US Government can help bring the troops home (or at least help people decide whether we should be over there).

Sure, there are many political heads strongly fighting against WikiLeaks and its face Julian Assange. But then again, who wouldn’t when their dirty laundry was aired out for the entire world to see. Perhaps this will press these political figures to be more honest with the American people. Wouldn’t it be great if we didn’t have to always worry about our government leaders making false promises and statements (can anyone say weapons of mass destruction)? American citizens have always appreciated and yearned for the information obtained from investigative journalism, and I believe once the dust settles, they will feel the same about Wiki Leaks.