As an investigative reporter, I strongly believe in the importance of transparency in government, accountability of public agencies and full disclosure of acts taken in…
As an investigative reporter, I strongly believe in the importance of transparency in government, accountability of public agencies and full disclosure of acts taken in the name of the American people. I believe secrets to protect national security, though necessary, should be rare and reviewed often to prevent cover-ups and corruption. To me, whistleblowing at the risk of one’s job or going to jail, to expose undisclosed waste, fraud or abuse, promote social justice and/or protect the public interest, is an act of heroism.
Hacking is a method, not a philosophy. Hackers deconstruct bureaucracies to see where they are weak or redundant and exploit systemic vulnerabilities. Julian Assange, the world’s most infamous hacker, uses the principle of the people’s right to know to justify digital breaking and entering. The line between transparency and trespassing is a moving target and the WikiLeaks founder knows something about both. Until last Thursday, he had been hiding out to avoid prosecution by Sweden and the U. S. government for more than six years under the increasingly unwilling hospitality of the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. He was evicted and dragged out by Scotland Yard and will now presumably be forced to defend his argument.
Read more commentary:
WikiLeaks founder Assange will be punished for embarrassing the DC establishment
Julian Assange deserves a Medal of Freedom, not a secret indictment
Spygate: Did American intelligence agencies spy on Trump? Barr says we’ll find out.
It will be a tough call.
