Wikileaks threatens to put information ahead of lives

DESPITE warnings that it may put lives at risk the website Wikileaks has confirmed that it intends to go ahead with the release of further details of American spying.

Following reports that the United States National Security Agency has been recording and archiving the majority of every mobile phone call made in the Bahamas the website has said that it will reveal details of a second country which is facing the same level of surveillance.

News agencies had already said they would not release the name of the second country fearing that to do so would lead to potential increases in violence which could lead to loss of life.   

Wikileaks has never shied from publishing controversial or potentially harmful information, arguing that it is doing so to ensure freedom of information. In the past, releases about military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan have been held accountable for increases in hostilities, allegedly leading to a rise in the number of deaths.

If Wikileaks follows through on its threat then it could mean that it has access to documents taken by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, who led journalists originally to the news that the US was conducting a massive surveillance operation against a number of countries, including allies Britain and Germany.

According to news website ‘The Intercept’, which was set up in February by a group of journalists including Glenn Greenwald, the release of the information had previously been halted due to “credible concerns that doing so could lead to an increase in violence.”

Wikileaks announcement has led to a discussion on social media site Twitter between the group and Greenwald, who was one of the first to break the news of Snowden’s files. Greenwald highlighted that the website has withheld information in the past when it considered that there may be a risk to life: @ggreenwald “@wikileaks also withheld info when they were convinced it could harm innocents - we were very convinced this 1 (one) would"

The story has also highlighted the potential harm which can be caused by some ‘netizens’ who claim that the internet should be completely open with free speech to all. Unlike professional news organisations they can publish stories without thought to the context, or the potential ramifications which the information could lead to.

Several Non-Governmental Organisations, including Reporters Without Borders, have previously raised concerns that information released by Wikileaks could prove dangerous. In response to allegations by the site that it was taking part in censorship Reporters Without Borders published the following comment: Should we be blamed for pointing out that the information provided by Wikileaks could be used by the Taliban and could serve as grounds for reprisals? Is it contrary to a humanitarian organisation’s vocation to draw attention to the possible impact on human lives of high-risk information? Is it wrong to point out that Wikileaks’ recent actions could backfire not only on itself but also on the independent researchers and journalists who cover these subjects online?

This latest release could prove once again that Wikileak’s self defined agenda to provide completely free access to information fails to take into account the human cost which such action can lead to.