Wikileaks: Who, what, why?
16th August 2012
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Wikileaks has found itself back on the front pages this week with its enigmatic founder Julian Assange still in the centre of a political and legal storm. Amidst all the column inches written about the organisation, the simple truths behind Wikileaks are often overlooked, so we’ve compiled everything you need to know about the whistle-blowing website.
The not-for-profit organisation was set up in 2006 by Julian Assange, former computer hacker and self-described “editor-in-chief” of Wikileaks. He has been described as both “internet’s freedom fighter” and “the most dangerous man in the world”, so it’s difficult to find anyone with a relatively objective view of him and his organisation.
Wikileaks’ goal, according to its website, is "to bring important news and information to the public”, publishing original source material to show “evidence of the truth”. This pretty much equates to sourcing classified or otherwise embarrassing information about institutions and governments, and publishing it for the entire world to see.
Its first big splash in the UK came in 2009 when it released what it purported to be a list of British National Party (BNP) members, which included several doctors and army personnel. The BNP called it a “malicious forgery” but the damage had been done and Wikileaks found itself thrown under the spotlight of the media.

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