The Government is a Publisher. Did You Know?!

Julian Assange is an editor from Australia that created the Wikileaks website. This website allows various individuals to submit and publish information that typically is deemed highly classified. This information would generally never normally be seen by most, because it is sensitive in nature, and is likely to refute information that governments tend to change or cover up from the public. Since journalists operate under the 1^st Amendment, this has significant impact for writers and editors. Journalists expect, that even if they receive a lot of criticism for a story, they will still be given the freedom to speak their minds and report the truth, or their version of it at least.

            This story is important to follow because it may be the catalyst for drawing a line down the sand for what the government finds appropriate for civilians to publish and read. The argument is that state secrets have been disclosed, which have endangered the government, soldiers and even citizens. I have had a hard time making my mind up about this issue since it became a controversy. On the one hand, I think disclosing information about Afghans cooperating with the U.S. most likely put those in extreme jeopardy. However, I cannot state that I side with the government. Society is being given news and statistics from government agencies that have political agendas and, therefore, it allows them to shape the story or omit important elements. I have known this for a long time, which makes hearing Assange’s information on his website that much more interesting. Who better to know what is actually taking place in the government than the inside personnel?

            The United States assault on Assange and the fact that they are fighting this issue so loudly and publicly only appears to reaffirm the fact that the United States has very dirty secrets to hide. Assange stated that what this all comes down to is whether or not he is “subverting legitimate or illegitimate authority.” I think he’s right. It scares me that the government views itself as the final authority on all matters, including publishing. I’m not surprised, just terrified.