The WikiLeaks website and Journalism to a New Level

WikiLeaks documents stir significant divisions in public opinion and in the nature of a journalist's approach to them. Some view these documents as a means to expose government corruption and transgressions, while others consider them a violation of national security and a threat to diplomatic relations between countries.

What are WikiLeaks documents?

WikiLeaks documents are part of the WikiLeaks website, launched in 2007, dedicated to publishing hundreds of thousands of classified documents, particularly related to U.S. policy. The site focuses on revealing corruption, violations, and human rights issues worldwide. Founded by Julian Assange and colleagues, the site has become a controversial platform after publishing sensitive information.

Do we neglect WikiLeaks documents?

In dealing with these documents, Palestinian writer and media professor at Birzeit University, Moaz Karraga, expressed his opinion to MBRSC POST, saying: "WikiLeaks has formed a unique pattern and methodology in investigative journalism, based on obtaining and verifying secret documents, and protecting the rights of whistleblowers and document leakers.

He added: "At the same time, it has maintained the professional and ethical standards of this type of journalism. Therefore, these documents constitute a professional source with a wealth of important information that journalists or professional media cannot ignore. The fate that Julian Assange has faced is evidence of the importance of these documents and what they reveal, posing a threat to those in power and influence, whether individuals or countries."

Challenges of WikiLeaks

Regarding the difficulty journalists face in accessing information, journalist and researcher on American media, Mohamed Mansour, noted that WikiLeaks documents are a golden opportunity for journalists. He said, "As journalists, we often try hard to obtain a document or a piece of information, not to mention facing government suppression campaigns or officials refraining from collaborating with the press." He added, "But for the first time, we have a collection of 250,000 documents as primary sources. This is entirely new and a new way. We, as journalists, are trying to deal with this massive amount of information."

Are WikiLeaks documents guaranteed truth?

Concerning the importance of verifying WikiLeaks information, Saudi journalist Mohammed Al Tamimi affirmed "not to consider WikiLeaks documents as inevitable truths," stating that caution is necessary when dealing with these documents. He said, "When dealing with documents, caution must be exercised because not everything published is real and logical. It may represent a lead for the journalist to delve into the search for the truth." He continued: "When searching for any information related to WikiLeaks, the news must be logically credible, and then the information should be researched from various sources. This is the journalism we have learned."