WikiLeaks is the controversial website that has been posting classified government documents that has been affecting our country and our access with the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. I can't believe that there is even a website out there that displays our classified government documents. Why is this legal? In my opinion, this should not be allowed on the Internet because of all the access that it gives to other people in other countries. Not only does this give our classified government documents to our enemies, but it can also lead us to having potential new enemies. I think Kevin Werbach explains it well when he says, "WikiLeaks is a fascinating microcosm of a larger trend --that the Internet allows freer flow of information, including things we want to be available and things we don't." This is exactly what the website WikiLeaks does and it allows information to be spread all throughout the Internet for anybody to see. Julian Assange is the founder of WikiLeaks and is currently being held in the United Kingdom with no bail. A recent release by WikiLeaks gave out confidential U.S. State Department cables that has implications for business and corporations. Is it time to put an end to all of this? Should WikiLeaks be allowed to release confidential United States government information? I really think that WikiLeaks could be very dangerous not only to the American government, but to all of American society. I even consider it treason. The reason I feel this way is because WikiLeaks seems to be a betrayal of the American nation and sovereign. It opens up our nation's private information and reveals it for others to see like it's not a big deal at all. I really believe that WikiLeaks will continue to put our nation in danger and it can only lead to worse situations and circumstances. The information that is being revealed is affecting corporate communication and Joseph Turow says, "The cables that have been released look incredibly tame compared to the e-mail that people send around corporations." I think that betraying your country by supplying information to the whole world should not be tolerated. I understand that the information could be a public concern and the public deserve to know about it, but I think the information shouldn't be released to a later date. WikiLeaks remind me of the Pentagon Papers and the H-Bomb court cases. In the Pentagon Papers case, the information was not restricted because it occurred several years after the Vietnam War and was no longer a threat to American Society. However, the H-Bomb was not allowed to be released because of the danger and threat it caused to America. In newspapers, there are 5 exceptions on things that you can't write or publish:
1.) Obstructing military recruitment
2.) Publish true sailing or movement in war
3.) Obscenity
4.) Promote violence
5.) Attempt to overthrow American government
I believe that these 5 reasons should come into play when publishing an article or information online. In this instance, it would be aimed towards WikiLeaks and displaying confidential information towards the American government. It could have a huge affect on our status in the war in Iraq. America is known as being a strong nation, but there are some people who are trying to affect our great reputation and stature. WikiLeaks harms public interests, cause a crackdown on government security, and have a bad effect on foreign relations.
This link helps to argue my points on why WikiLeaks is dangerous towards America. http://www.debate.org/debates/Resolved-Wikileaks-is-a-threat-to-United-States-national-security./1/
WHAT DO YOU THINK? DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH ME?
You say it has a bad impact on Foreign Relations and how we are viewed as a strong country. We have done enough to ruin that beyond the leaks. There has been recent overthrows or attempts in the Middle East with recent information released however, there is polices and changes in the laws that will cause threats to National Security. The power to inform continues to let people what is going on out there. The threat of important information released out to the general public will be contained but certain information that has been released,continues to help not harm us
ReplyDeleteI just feel that we should leave it up to our government to inform us of what exactly is going on with foreign affairs and with our progress in the war. Having your troops in Iraq fighting a war is stressful enough, let alone having to worry about fellow Americans giving up confidential information that could cause damage and harm to our national security. I agree with you that the power to inform continues to let people know what is going on out there with our economy, war progress, and our society as a whole. However, I feel that the certain information that you talk off doesn't necessarily help us as a nation. I feel as if it only makes us wonder what is going on with our country and if we can actually trust our government or not. I would rather trust my government than to trust some other people who are spreading around information on the internet.
ReplyDelete(Playing Devils advocate)
ReplyDelete"WikiLeaks seems to be a betrayal of the American nation and sovereign."
How can it necessarily be betraying the American nation when Americans have the opportunity to learn about information that might lead them into supporting a war cause?
Don't forget the fact that Wilileaks can also unite the American nation in ways that reflect strong patriotism.