Wikileaks good for the open society

The founder of the website Wikileaks, Julian Assange, has rejected criticisms that publishing secret US documents has endangered Afghan informants. The conservative Jyllands-Posten daily agrees sensitive material should be given careful treatment, but argues that we should "be delighted at the possibilities Wikileaks offers anyone who believes in a transparent, open society. Last year Wikileaks was behind the publishing of thousands of e-mails by climate researchers revealing attempts to suppress information that cast doubt on global warming. Wikileaks has uncovered corruption in Kenia, irregularities among Western banks, an oil scandal in Peru and the dumping of hazardous waste in Africa. On the day when an official working for an oppressive regime wants to speak out about the crimes of a dictator, Wikileaks will be the natural medium to go to. In the meantime perhaps someone should explain to Julian Assange the difference between journalism and activism."

» full article (external link, Danish)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Domestic Policy, » Online media, » U.S.

» To the complete press review of Thursday, July 29, 2010