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People, globally, are starting to see their leaders | WikiLeaks as an Opportunity through a lens not filtered by “public relations". If WikiLeaks is a psy-op, it is either the stupidest or Through mainstream media, information gets filtered the most intelligent psychological operation ever through propaganda, which is why it is an essential duty undertaken. But one thing is for sure: systems and of the alternative media and critical thinkers to place structures of power are in the process of being exposed this information in a wider, comprehensive context. to a much wider audience than ever before. The This would further erode the effectiveness of empire. question for the alternative media and critical With the reaction of several states and policing researchers alike is what will they do with this organisations in issuing arrest warrants for WikiLeaks information and this opportunity. editor-in-chief Julian Assange or in calling for his Julian Assange was recently interviewed by Time assassination (as one Canadian adviser to the Prime magazine about WikiLeaks, and explained to its Minister suggested on television), these organisations inadequately informed editor that organisations which and individuals are exposing their own hatred of are secretive need to be exposed: democracy, transparency and freedom If their behavior is revealed to the of information. Their reactions can be public, they have one of two choices: one used to discredit their legitimacy to is to reform in such a way that they can "rule". If policing agencies are a be proud of their endeavors, and proud to supposed to "protect and serve", why ...this Sots as no display them to the public. Or the other are they seeking instead to punish surprise to those is to lock down internally and to and subvert those who expose the balkanize, and as a result, of course, truth? Again, this comes as no who closely study cease to be as efficient as they fin To surprise to those who closely study the nature of the me, that is a very good outcome, because the nature of the state and especially organizations can either be efficient, open the modern phenomenon of the state and especially and honest, or they can be closed, m Manse ion “ domestic soctety ang the modern conspiratorial and inefficient.” e dismantling of rights an freedoms. However, it is happening phenomenon of Assange further explained some of before the eyes of the w ole the militarisation his perspectives regarding the world, and people are paying . influence of and reactions to attention. This is new. of domestic WikiLeaks, stating: onnatunity to niticins tarein society and the governitent ine ie policy (read "imperial strategy") dismantling of Security Service, appear to be ands denioye pay oe rights and wre eee a now, than ever before, will be freedoms. something awful is happening in the country, | actually think that is a very optimistic sign, because it means that speech can still cause reform and that the power structure is still inherently political, as willing to listen, learn and investigate for themselves. WikiLeaks should be regarded as a gift, not a distraction. Instead of focusing on the parts of the WikiLeaks cables (such as on Iran) which do not reflect opposed to fiscal. So journalism and writing are capable of the perspectives of the alternative media, we must use achieving change, and that is why Chinese authorities are so WikiLeaks to better inform our own understanding not scared of it. Whereas in the United States to a large degree, simply of the "policy" itself but of the complex social and in other Western countries, the basic elements of society interactions and ideas that create the basis for the have been so heavily fiscalized through contractual obligations policy to be carried out. that political change doesn't seem to result in economic In regards to the diplomatic cables themselves, change, which in other words means that political change WikiLeaks helps to unsheathe and strip away the doesn't result in change.’ rhetoric behind imperial policy and expose diplomats not as "informed observers" but as "agents of power". In the interview, Assange turned to the issue of the The reaction by nations, organisations and institutions Internet and community media: around the world adds further fuel to this approach, as For the rise of social media, it's quite interesting. When we we are seeing the utter distaste that political leaders first started [in 2006], we thought we would have the have for "democracy" and "freedom of information", analytical work done by bloggers and people who wrote despite their rhetoric. Several institutions of power can Wikipedia articles and so on. And we thought that was a be more widely exposed in this manner. natural, given that we had lots of quality, important content... WikiLeaks as an Opportunity If WikiLeaks is a psy-op, it is either the stupidest or the most intelligent psychological operation ever undertaken. But one thing is for sure: systems and structures of power are in the process of being exposed to a much wider audience than ever before. The question for the alternative media and critical researchers alike is what will they do with this information and this opportunity. Julian Assange was recently interviewed by Time magazine about WikiLeaks, and explained to its inadequately informed editor that organisations which are secretive need to be exposed: If their behavior is revealed to the public, they have one of two choices: one is to reform in such a way that they can be proud of their endeavors, and proud to nes as no display them to the public. Or the other to those is to lock down internally and to balkanize, and as a result, of course, ely study cease to be as efficient as they were. To re of the me, that is a very good outcome, because organizations can either be efficient, open especially and honest, or they can be closed, odern conspiratorial and inefficient.” surprise to those who closely study the nature of the state and especially the modern | phenomenon of the militarisation of domestic an dismantling of rights and freedoms. In the interview, Assange turned to the issue of the Internet and community media: For the rise of social media, it's quite interesting. When we first started [in 2006], we thought we would have the analytical work done by bloggers and people who wrote Wikipedia articles and so on. And we thought that was a natural, given that we had lots of quality, important content... NEXUS ¢ 19 ...this comes as no society and the FEBRUARY - MARCH 2011 www.nexusmagazine.com