The high-profile arrest of besieged WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange could, in normal times, have been explained away as a bona fide step taken in furtherance of the due process of law. But these are extraordinary times, and the talented Editor-in-Chief of the whistle-blower website is the target of right wing and lunatic fringe politicians in America, some of whom want him assassinated. The charges against Mr. Assange will convince only the credulous. The accusations, by two women, of unlawful coercion, molestation, and rape in Sweden are highly suspect because of their timing and the way they have been pursued. All accounts of the sexual encounters suggest they were consensual and perhaps even planned. The charges were dropped after initial enquiry, but mysteriously revived. Across the Atlantic, of course, the campaign against WikiLeaks has been constructed around not concerns over women's rights but the website's sensational disclosures of highly embarrassing diplomatic cables. Repressive measures against WikiLeaks — such as booting it from Amazon's cloud computing servers, cutting off Paypal, Visa and Mastercard payment gateways, denying it an Internet domain name, and freezing an account held by the website in a Swiss bank — have been achieved through private, extra-judicial manoeuvres. This is what makes the arrest appear vindictive.
The vicious campaign to silence WikiLeaks through distributed denial of service attacks and threats of prosecution for espionage in the United States have produced the opposite effect, by provoking supporters of the website to mount a counter-offensive against the companies involved. The net outcome is a cyberwar where militant responses to continued repression are guaranteed. Western governments, especially those involved in calamitous wars abroad, could then succumb to temptation and institute authoritarian controls on Internet access. Now that the WikiLeaks Founder is in detention, Washington should not be allowed to come up with tendentious arguments to get him extradited to be prosecuted for espionage. As Noam Chomsky and several other prominent American citizens have pointed out to Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, the rhetoric in the U.S. is increasingly violent and there are grave concerns about Mr. Assange's safety. At a broader level, the WikiLeaks challenge presents a clear choice to leaders and governments of western countries: to crack down on free speech in the name of official secrecy and national security or to make government more transparent and accountable. After all, tolerating what pleases you, or at least does not displease you strongly, is no big deal. How l'affaire Assange gets resolved will be the acid test for free speech in countries that claim to be liberal democracies.
Keywords: WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, cablegate
I have to agree with the first comment. The writer is wrong in classifying this as an acid test of free speech. When we elect governments in a democracy, we give them the power to keep us safe, with or without our knowledge. The release of certain diplomatic cables that may cause political/communal tensions is something we could do without seeing the issues that we face today.
The views I state above should not make me seem a totalitarian or an authoritarian who likes to suppress our basic rights. I believe in them too. I hardly feel that accessing confidential documents and releasing them to see what kind of a stir they cause falls under free speech.
What is definitely up for debate is the cracking down of Mr. Assange under strange circumstances.
This editorial reminded me of the recent incidents regarding the arrest of a prominent computer scientist who showed that the electronic voting machines used in India are vulnerable to hacking. URL: http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/post.aspx?bid=349&bpid=26158&ref=rss
It is very disconcerting that such whistleblowers and academics are being subjected to persecution, not just by super powers but also by emerging super powers. The loss of freedom to express information by the concerted effort of government forces is the first step in a slippery slope toward a controlled society. Be it the US government or the Indian government, such acts of suppression are despicable.
Let's assume a philandering subversive has the unfettered right to publish stolen secrets that may result in grave damage and personal harm. Why then, would the group impacted by the disclosure not have the same right to stop and prosecute such breaches to protect their security? You can embarrass the US to any extent you wish, but cannot tie their hands when it comes to defending their country.
It will be interesting to note how the various governments exposed in the Wikileaks react directly or indirectly to the handlisng of Mr. Assange. The Human Rights organizations and the media should support him at this moment of crisis.
Julian Paul Assange, the founder owner of the now dreaded Cyber Site, appears to be more sinned against than sinning. The US appears to be witch hunting him fearing infamy arising out of the Wiki leaks, merrily lapped up by the US bashers across the globe. Perhaps, the US authorities are so much xenophobic about him that they are trying every weapon in their armoury to silence him. Ironically, in this information-thirsty era and ICE-age amply supported with technology it is not possible to stop the onward march of such personalities notwithstanding whether or not they are persona non grata for the US. Surprisingly, his claim that he is only the messenger and that there is an attempt to shoot the messenger might have many takers especially in view of the paranoid attempts of the US to him silenced. The champions of Free-speech and Cyber activism might not take things lying down. Curiously, in spite of the edge over the cyber world, the US has often been assaulted mercilessly by the marauders on the cyber world. Therefore, the US had better leave the Cyber Messenger - Assange - alone and concentrate on more productive areas. This will improve the image of the US as the champion of Free Speech and Right to liberty and freedom of thought.
I think this is very relevant to India as an emerging power with ambitions to influence the world. So far, India has stayed silent on all the revelations claiming that its relationship with the US is not harmed. This is very concerning. India is being publicized as the largest democracy in the world, and apparently our definitions of democracy are increasingly influenced by the US. Our thought processes, perceptions of right and wrong, fashions, language... As a society, we are increasingly influenced by the West and US in particular. At this juncture, it becomes crucial for India to be firmly anchored in the values that gave it birth and our response to the Wikileaks saga should come from there rather than a blind echo of "okay". I have written more on this subject in terms of what wikileaks means to India as a democracy and rising world power and I hope to see dialogue around this in our country http://aamjanata.com/2010/12/02/chilling-subservience-india/ As a society, we need to shake off apathy. It is one thing to expect politicians to run the country according to our ideals, but a democracy is about the participation of the people. It is an extraordinary moment in history. The Indian word holds weight. It is up to us how we use it.
Trying to stifle Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, at a time when jailed Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo is being awarded Nobel Peace Prize for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China, portrays the irony of double standards existent in the "free world".
Disappointing article - one does not expect such a shallow analysis from The Hindu. The information that Wikileaks posted is undoubtedly out of bounds of the public domain. Extending the logic of this article The Hindu should publish all its internal meetings/memos et all which needless to say is ludicrous. More balance is expected actually demanded from a paper like The Hindu and baseless anti Western phobia / bashing is just plain petty if not silly.
Wikileaks releases crucial information, Assange becomes a household name overnight for being a savior of democracy and free speech, and suddenly he is jailed for all the wrong reasons....It seems like a plot of a Hollywood flick. This situation has two connotations. Firstly, are democratic nations all over the world really a supporter of free speech or its just a hoax? Secondly, is it ethical for any journalist to publish critical data of any nation which can become a bone of contention in near future for the countries involved in mutual relationship?It is a litmus test for the US which has an albatross hanging around its neck.Lets see how it poses a leadership by example for its followers and allies.
The knee jerk reaction of the US to the "WikiLeaks" has proved transparency and secrecy are mutually exclusive. Individuals, Corporates and governments talk about the necessity of transparency in working, but in reality are averse to it. After all, the US was collecting all these information secretly about other countries, either for its own security or to enable it (US) to deal with these governments in more effective manner (without their knowing it has all the necessary information about them). I do not see anything wrong in this. But, the problem comes only when these countries come to know of it, not by their own intelligence, but courtesy through these "leaks" in public domain. The country (US) which has gathered the information is embarrassed. The moral of the lesson is India should never take any country, however mighty, for granted on its face value, but constantly review its relationships and policies in our own national interest. Whistle Blowers like "WikiLeaks" have done yeomen service in exposing duplicity of the US. It is surprising why some of the European Countries are after Mr Assange. Back home, the 'RadiaLeaks' have exposed the nexus of Corporates and Politicians even in government formation. The point to be noted is, whereas US indulged in the activities (exposed by "WikiLeaks") from the point of view of its security, the "RadiaLeaks" exposed the kind of corruption allegedly being indulged at the cost of national security. Such Whistle Blowers are welcome and need to be protected. Your Editorial is timely and sends out the right message.
The arrest of the Founder of WikiLeaks surves two purposes.It has already diverted the world's attention from the leaked cables.Secondly it would gag Mr Assange from revealing any further cables.The Charges levelled against him are 'planted' and vindictive.At all costs,he must be protected from the 'exposed Governments'.They may do away with him not for what has been already leaked but much more murkier things that will be revealed.
The very attack on Julian Assange after the publication of Wikileaksis is provocative and hegemonic in nature. This shall be condemned to core by freedom of expression lovers all over the world in unequivocal terms. It is nothing but a fatwa on Assange. The Amnesty International shall come for the rescue of Assange.
The Swedish extradition bid on Julian Assange on the alleged charges by that country's women of molestation and sexual assault reeks of revenge. The allegations are by their nature and dealings smack of untruth and so are unacceptable . The amorous advances are reported
to have commenced in a consensual manner. It is rather ludicrous to cry hoarse that it later has turned forceful and unilateral. Can a line be drawn so as to determine when an affair transcends into the wrong threshold ? It is all out of pure vengeance the bigwigs harbour against the the cyber marwel who generated such huge abundance of data that rendered their nights sleepless. Hopefully, the cyber war has commenced and is on. The target computer is reportedly overwhelmed by the inundating data packets. The world is rather amused to watch the course this war would take.
It is better for India to stay away from America as having a relationship with US will mean that we too will have to share the burden of their enormous sins and the backlash. America is physically safe between Atlantic and Pacific but India does not have that advantage. US is so deeply involved in so many massive international crimes against humanity -- things are only going to get worse in future for US as affected people all over the world keep realizing what America has done to them.
This is one of the best editorials of The Hindu I ever have read.
This editorial says: "How l'affaire Assange gets resolved will be the acid test for free speech in countries that claim to be liberal democracies." In January 2010 Hillary Clinton criticized China and said: "Countries that restrict free access to information, or violate the basic rights of internet users, risk walling themselves off from the progress of the next century."(The Times, January 22, 2010) and she further mentioned that the US and China have different views on this issue. WikiLeaks published information and did not commit any crime. Freedom of speech is a constitutional right in liberal democracies and the public has a right to get access to information. Around two million Americans had access to secret data. These data do not seem to be so secret. We as people of a globalised world have to defend freedom of speech with all peaceful means. We must say freedom of the internet, freedom of press, freedom of speech are essential for democracies to control the government. The internet and freedom of speech are powerful tools nowadays and it gives human beings more democratic rights and the possibilities to change a lot in societies than ever before. It is very embarrassing for the US that the cables were published on the internet and interested people got a deep insight how American diplomats and ambassadors described politicians and other leading figures. It will be extremely difficult for the US to win trust back. The US will not be able to suppress freedom of speech or to sue top quality newspapers like The New York Times or The Guardian. A lot has been done to stop publishing more cables but in vain. There are million who defend freedom of speech all over the world. They use the powerful tool of the internet, they started peaceful and creative actions to show their determination. Mr. Julian Assange has been arrested in London and he has to fight against his extradition to Sweden. Obviously this is the first legal step to bring him to Sweden and then extraditing him to the US where he could face trial. Freedom of speech, entry to information, an independent press and an independent judiciary are constitutional rights of liberal democracies and we all have to defend our democratic rights peacefully. Our children shall enjoy democracy.
On this particular topic of leaking classified information, are we not treading on the dangerous path of creating animosity, distrust and hatred even amongst friendly countries. Back door diplomacy had always believed to have given several fruitful results. A few months back, Nixon-Kissinger bashing of Indira Gandhi by calling her names, created furore in Indian community. In this strife torn world, we need to be cautious in spreading rather leaking information, which will be a tool in the hands of the terrorists. Reading the excerpts of the leaked information, is really spine chilling and we are immediately forced to think , as to what will happen, if such classified information is used by the terrorists networks. While we can salute Mr Asange for his boldness, the media should be bold enough to point out the fine line between the truth and the perceived danger and should not fall a prey to free speech propoganda. This boldness will bring more harm to the society at large. We had seen two extremes of freedom of speech. one the communist model, where under the Mao's rule, Chinese were always warned whenever they tuned into radio stations other than chinese propoganda machines . The other one is the liberalised world, where no discretion is applied on the information provided to the public at large. We need to tread on a middle path.
In the so-called Internet age where we are "free" to air our opinions, the malicious claims against Mr. Assange has damaged the credibility of the US Government. What is the purpose of arresting him, one wonders. After all, the Pandora box has been opened. The man who opened the chest should not be punished. US is facing a serious loss of face in the diplomatic corridors. Attempts by intelligence agencies to subvert public interest from the main issue are transparent and laughable. I only wish and pray that Mr Assange is not physically harmed by any means. He is a true torch bearer of the Internet age.
Your editorial is the synthesis of excellent appraisal of facts. While all clandestine acts have been perpetrated on different counts assuming utmost supremacy, the western governments cannot cry hoarse when they are exposed. The wikiLeaks clearly exposes the trait of deceit and deep seated malice harboured by the US and its allies towards the third world. Your editorial has very rightly brought out the mischief.
As an American - I can tell you that America has become a Police State. It has been sliding deeper into fascism for years. Most Americans like the government. You have no idea how bad the government of America has become, and the American people support it 100%. Do not expect anything reasonable or rational from America. America is vicious and shameless. The depth of their evil may surprise the people of the world. America does not care what the world thinks. If you are Arab, or Moslem, or any of a number of other things - they want to kill you. They really do. American media are puppets of the government - they are only propaganda outlets. Be very careful when dealing with America. The depth of American hatred and disrespect for you and your country is beyond your understanding. I say this as an American.
The frenzy created by the U.S government and the coercive measurers taken by it including the warning to the California university students of diplomacy and international affairs is nothing but deplorable strengthing the view that the U.S does not believe in what it preaches in this case the right to free speech.
The 'Cablegate' has proved to be another mole in the face of U.S.A. The more it and its allies try to curb and gag Wikileaks, more the diasatrous effect will be. It has already triggered a cyberwar as correctly mentioned in the editorial. The closing statement of the editorial sums it all.
In the era of globalisation, transparency is required in all the countries.It will bring more accountability of govts. towards people. USA wants to punish Mr. Assange by extra-judicial methods, which is totally illegal. People should support Mr. Assange in larger public interest.
The true colors of USA have come out.The do not believe in free speech. Their diplomats are just poor spies who do not know how to ensure the secrecy of their communications. This marks the downward march of the US into a third rate power which only knows it's dirty tricks.
Interesting. Why does Indian govt try to investigate who leaked Radia tapes? Similar many silencing activities have happened in India as well. Why does India even have official secrets act?According to this editorial is India not a democracy?
While the witch-hunt of Assange is debatable, this is not an acid-test of free-speech as The Hindu time and again tries to portray. Democratically elected govts are well within their rights to prevent release of sensitive secret documents which are being released just for the sole purpose of they being secret. Also the title of the post is misleading - Assange wasn't just a messenger, according to some reports, he even coaxed through extended discussions the US army private to steal and leak items. Assange's intentions are also not too clear - he *threatened* to release more dramatic documents if arrested, he got angry and said 'rape was a minor charge' on US TV interviews - all these don't point to just a journalist as he claims. I think it is deplorable that The Hindu is giving opinion seeing only one part of the game.
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