WikiLeaks has been harshly criticized by its former allies for publishing a full cache of unredacted cables.
Indeed, at least five publications – including the Guardian, New York Times, El Pais, Der Spiegel and Le Monde – said they “deplored” the decision which would likely put innumerable sources at risk.
“Our previous dealings with WikiLeaks were on the clear basis that we would only publish cables which had been subjected to a thorough joint editing and clearance process,” the publications explained in a jointly formulated statement.
“We will continue to defend our previous collaborative publishing endeavor. We cannot defend the needless publication of the complete data – we are united in condemning it. The decision to publish by Julian Assange was his, and his alone.”
According to the Guardian, the latest data dump contains more than 1,000 cables identifying individual activists, with more than 150 specifically highlighting whistleblowers. The cables also include references to individuals persecuted by their governments, victims of sex offenses and locations of sensitive infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Reporters Without Borders revoked its support for WikiLeaks in response to the unredacted cable leak.
“Some of the new cables have reportedly not been redacted and show the names of informants in various countries, including Israel, Jordan, Iran and Afghanistan,” the organization confirmed in a statement.
“While it has not been demonstrated that lives have so far been put in danger by these revelations, the repercussions they could have for informants, such as dismissal, physical attacks and other reprisals, cannot be neglected.”
Unsurprisingly, WikiLeaks remained unfazed by the criticism from its former allies, tweeting: “The Guardian continues to issue false statements. The nepotism in the Guardian has clearly compromised its accountability.”
