WikiLeaks wins ‘outstanding contribution to journalism’ award
by Lynn Herrmann (Guest contributor/Digital Journalist)
WikiLeaks was awarded a Walkley Sunday night for its outstanding contribution to journalism, commended by judges for its revelations in the war on terror to “diplomatic bastardry” and noted the “site’s commitment to the finest traditions of journalism.”
The prestigious Walkley Foundation has awarded whistle-blower Wikileaks its Most Outstanding Contribution to Journalism award, stating: “WikiLeaks applied new technology to penetrate the inner workings of government to reveal an avalanche of inconvenient truths in a global publishing coup.”
Were it not for WikiLeaks, according to Walkley Trustees, many of the world’s major publishers were able to take advantage of the secret cables released by Wikileaks, giving them “more scoops in a year than most journalists could imagine in a lifetime.”
On Monday in Hong Kong, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange addressed journalists via videolink from England, where he remains under house arrest. Speaking to the News World Summit, he called the Internet “the most significant surveillance machine that we have ever seen,” noting the tremendous amount of information people are willing to give up about themselves online, Agence France Presse reports.
During his 40-minute address, Assange criticized mainstream media, the Washington political machine and the banking industry.Regarding the US Department of Justice’s whistle-blower investigation into WikiLeaks for releasing sensitive and embarrassing document, including the now-famous and equally disturbing Collateral Murder video, Assange noted “The United States government does not want legal protection for us,” according to AFP.
Assange punctuated his address when the conference moderator asked if the WikiLeaks founder was a member of the journalism profession. “Of course I’m a goddamn journalist,” Assange responded, in what AFP called “affected frustration.”The Walkey Foundation’s broad aims “are to support and encourage professional and ethical journalism and promote and reward excellence in the Australian media,” according to its website.
Al Jazeera top exec resigns after WikiLeaks cable exposure
by Lynn Herrmann (Guest Contributor/Digital Journalist)
After eight years as director general at Al Jazeera, Wadah Khanfar on Tuesday announced his decision to step down, and follows release of WikiLeaks documents suggesting the news agency, under US pressure, modified coverage of the Iraq war.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Khanfar said his resignation “has to do with the fact that I have completed my eight years at the management of Al Jazeera.” He went on to add eight years was enough time for any leader to give his energy to such an endeavor.
An Al Jazeera spokesman noted: “Wadah Khanfar had made outstanding contributions to Al Jazeera and journalism worldwide. We all recognize his commitment to courageous reporting and want to continue to build upon those achievements.”
However, several leading news organizations suggest the WikiLeaks cable is connected to Khanfar’s resignation.
The Associated Press reports Khanfar “was in constant contact with the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency” in response to US complaints Al Jazeera was providing negative coverage of the Iraq war, and promised to modify such coverage.
CNET News reports the alterations in coverage, according to the leaked cable, involved removal of images of injured children from an online story in which witnesses provided accounts of US military action in Iraq. The cable came from the US embassy in Doha, Qatar, where Al Jazeera maintains its headquarters.
The cable references “problems” the US government had with Al Jazeera in “double-sourcing in Iraq; identifying sources’ use of inflammatory language; a failure to balance of extremist views; and the use of terrorist tapes.”
Also noted in the cable is Khanfar’s suggestion the website piece in question had “been toned down” and that he would “have it removed over the subsequent two or three days.”
In a note to Al Jazeera staff on Tuesday, Khanfar said: “Al Jazeera gained the trust of its audience through consistently speaking truth to power, and channelling peoples’ aspirations for dignity and freedom,” Al Jazeera reports.
This article was originally published on Digital Journal [Link]
David Frost interviews Julian Assange about secrets, leaks and why he won’t go to Sweden
Julian Assange, founder of whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks, recently sat down with David Frost in an episode of “Frost over the World.” In the 24 minute-long interview, Assange talks in-depth about the role of WikiLeaks and why he won’t go to Sweden.
Assange has seen an enormous amount of publicity recently, as WikiLeaks is in the process of releasing more than 250,000 confidential American diplomatic cables. He is also fighting extradition to Sweden where he is wanted on sexual assault charges.
Named “Man of the Year” by Le Monde, Julian Assange has been called everything from the leader of transparency in government to a “high-tech terrorist.”
In this special episode of Frost over the World, Assange speaks at great length about a number of issues ranging from the role of WikiLeaks as a leader of transparency to its goal of unveiling government secrets when it’s important for the public. The interview aired Dec. 21, Dec. 22 and Dec. 23 on Al Jazeera.
In the interview, Assange implies a fair trial in Sweden is not likely and his lawyers are concerned he will end up in an American jail. Some critics seem to agree, saying “Sweden’s reputation as a socially advanced nation is looking shakier by the minute.”
Assange says he does not blame his two accusers for allegations against him. Instead, he suggests they may be mixed up in a bigger political scheme.
In this sit-down interview with Frost, a number of questions are brought forward, including: “Why was the most senior prosecutor in Sweden removed (and replaced) after he said there was ‘no evidence or even suspicion’ of rape?” And, “Why do Swedish authorities refuse to provide British officials with any evidence of crimes Assange allegedly committed ? including withholding the statements of the victims?”
The interview is below:
[Cross-posted to Digital Journal and Future of Media]