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WikiLeaks , Snowden and Civil Liberties vs . Public Security

WikiLeaks , Snowden and Civil Liberties vs . Public Security. By Jeff South | Fulbright Scholar | U.S.A. Teaching at Northeast Normal University, Changchun. Whistle-blowing. Definition and history Law and ethics Journalistic considerations What society might do to address these issues.

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WikiLeaks , Snowden and Civil Liberties vs . Public Security

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  1. WikiLeaks, Snowdenand Civil Libertiesvs. Public Security By Jeff South | Fulbright Scholar | U.S.A. Teaching at Northeast Normal University, Changchun

  2. Whistle-blowing • Definition and history • Law and ethics • Journalistic considerations • What society might doto address these issues

  3. Supporters’ view • Martyrs for public interest • Holding institutions accountable • Sacrificing themselves for the public good

  4. Opponents’ view • ‘Traitors’ or ‘defectors’ • Deluded, mistaken, unaware of big picture • ‘Axe to grind’ • Personal glory and fame • Motivated by greed

  5. Forms of retaliation • Fired, suspended • Demoted • Mistreated • Sued • Treason! • Put in jail

  6. Early history • Continental Congress, 1778 • U.S. Civil War • Term coined in 1970s • Whistleblower protection laws • But still retaliation occurs

  7. My Lai Massacre • 1968: Vietnam War • U.S. soldiers killed400-500 villagers • A soldier, Ron Ridenhour, learned about atrocities • Contacted public officials and the press

  8. Ridenhour’s words ‘Government institutions’ first response to exposure of corruption and wrongdoing: lie, conceal and cover up. Once an institution has embraced a particular lie, it will forever proclaim its innocence.’

  9. My Lai Massacre • Lt. William Calley convicted,but served no prison time • Ridenhour became ajournalist; died at 52

  10. Pentagon Papers • Daniel Ellsberg • Military analyst • In 1971, gave politiciansand journalists a secret Defense Department study about the Vietnam War • ‘Pentagon Papers’ case

  11. Pentagon Papers • Showed U.S. governmenthad lied about the war • New York Times ran story • U.S. Supreme Court: No ‘prior restraint’ • President Nixon outraged;ordered burglary

  12. Ellsberg’s words ‘As an American citizen, as a responsible citizen, I could no longer cooperate in concealing this information from the American public. I am prepared to answer to all the consequences of this decision.’

  13. Ellsberg’s fate • Turned himself in • 1973 trial • Break-in and illegalwiretapping revealed • Ellsberg acquitted

  14. WikiLeaks • Encourages whistleblowers

  15. WikiLeaks • Encourages whistleblowers • 2010: Collateral Murder

  16. WikiLeaks • Encourages whistleblowers • 2010: Collateral Murder • 500,000 documents onwars in Afghanistan & Iraq • State Department ‘cables’(working with newspapersin U.S., U.K. and Germany)

  17. Fall-out • U.S. investigated Assange • WikiLeak Twitter accounts • Cut off hosting & donations • Bradley/Chelsea Manningconvicted of espionage,but not ‘aiding enemy’ • 35 years in prison

  18. Manning’s words He leaked cables ‘to show the true cost of war. … I am sorry that my actions hurt people. I am sorry for the unintended consequences of my actions. When I made these decisions I believed I was going to help people, not hurt people.’

  19. Hero or traitor? Obama: ‘He broke the law’

  20. Edward Snowden • Computer expert for CIA, then defense contractors • Upset over surveillanceby U.S. government • Monitoring Internetand phone communication • Took thousands of files

  21. Edward Snowden • Leaked to Guardianand Washington Post • U.S. charges: espionage • Now temporary asylumin Russia

  22. Snowden’s words ‘There is a huge difference between legitimate spying and dragnet mass surveillance ... These programs were never about terrorism: they’re about economic spying, social control, and diplomatic manipulation. The public had a right to know about these programs.’

  23. Snowden aftermath • Obama: Let’s have a debate;Snowden must stand trial • Supporters: Snowden is a hero for exposing NSA • Reporters won awards

  24. 00:08-03:42

  25. 00:36-02:54 … 06:58-07:30

  26. Differences? • Ridenhour/Ellsbergvs. Manning/Snowden • In the material they leaked? • To whom they leaked it? • What they did afterward?

  27. The debate • How to weigh individualliberties vs. public security • Internal controls & trust • Protection for whistleblowers • How to assess damage • Our digital world:End of privacy?

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