Media

Major Media Outlets Advising Wikileaks on Releases

PARIS (AP) — The diplomatic records exposed on the WikiLeaks website this week reveal not only secret government communications, but also an extraordinary collaboration between some of the world’s most respected media outlets and the Wikileaks organization, just as U.S. officials target WikiLeaks in a criminal investigation.

Unlike earlier disclosures by WikiLeaks of tens of thousands of secret government records, the group is releasing only a trickle of documents at a time from a trove of a quarter-million, and only after considering advice from five news organizations with which it chose to share all of the material.

“They are releasing the documents we selected,” Le Monde’s managing editor, Sylvie Kauffmann, said in an interview at the newspaper’s Paris headquarters.

WikiLeaks turned over all of the classified State Department cables it obtained to Le Monde, El Pais in Spain, The Guardian in Britain and Der Spiegel in Germany. The Guardian shared the material with the New York Times, and the five news organizations have been working together to plan the timing of their reports.

They also have been advising WikiLeaks on which documents to release publicly and what redactions to make to those documents, Kauffmann and others involved in the arrangement said.

Each publication suggested a way to remove names and details considered too sensitive, and “I suppose WikiLeaks chooses the one it likes,” El Pais Editor in Chief Javier Moreno said in a telephone interview from his Madrid office.

As stories are published, WikiLeaks uses its website to release the related cables. For example, The Guardian published an article Thursday based on diplomatic cables discussing the assassination of former Russian security officer Alexander Litvinenko by radiation poisoning, and WikiLeaks quickly posted three cables on the same subject.

The close arrangement is unusual because it ties the media outlets more closely to WikiLeaks, and reveals an unusual collaboration with an organization facing a U.S. criminal investigation.

“In this case, what you have is news organizations partnering with an organization that very clearly has a different set of values,” said Kelly McBride, a journalism ethics professor at The Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida.

But McBride notes that the unique collaboration also forces some degree of journalistic standards on WikiLeaks, which in the past has released documents without removing information considered sensitive.

New York Times Executive Editor Bill Keller told readers in an online exchange that the newspaper has suggested to its media partners and to WikiLeaks what information it believes should be withheld.

“We agree wholeheartedly that transparency is not an absolute good,” Keller wrote. “Freedom of the press includes freedom not to publish, and that is a freedom we exercise with some regularity.”

Days before releasing any of the latest documents, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange appealed to the U.S. ambassador in London, asking the U.S. government to confidentially help him determine what needed to be redacted from the cables before they were publicly released. The ambassador refused, telling Assange to hand over stolen property. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley called Assange’s offer “a half-hearted gesture to have some sort of conversation.”

U.S. officials submitted suggestions to The Times, which asked government officials to weigh in on some of the documents the newspaper and its partners wanted to publish.

“The other news organizations supported these redactions,” Keller wrote. “WikiLeaks has indicated that it intends to do likewise. And as a matter of news interest, we will watch their website to see what they do.”

While Keller has emphasized to readers that the Times is “not a ‘media partner’” of WikiLeaks and that it did not receive the State Department documents from WikiLeaks, his public comments describe a working relationship with the group on the release of the material and decisions to withhold certain information.

Keller told the AP in an e-mail Thursday that advising WikiLeaks about removing names and other sensitive details is the responsible thing to do.

“We have no way of knowing what WikiLeaks will do, no clear idea what they make of our redactions, but if this to any degree prevents WikiLeaks from carelessly getting someone killed, I’m happy to do it,” he said. “I’d be interested to hear the arguments in favor of having WikiLeaks post its material unredacted.”

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said this week there is “an active, ongoing, criminal investigation” into WikiLeaks’ release of the material. He said it jeopardized national security, diplomatic efforts and U.S. relationships around the world. He declined to equate WikiLeaks to traditional news organizations that enjoy certain free-speech protections.

“I think one can compare the way in which the various news organizations that have been involved in this have acted, as opposed to the way in which WikiLeaks has,” Holder said. He did not elaborate on the distinction he sees between WikiLeaks and the publications.

Although WikiLeaks has said it will ultimately post its trove online, The Times said it intends to publish only about 100 or so of the records. And the other news organizations that have the material said they likely will release only a fraction.

“We are releasing only what is interesting,” Le Monde’s Kauffman said. “I couldn’t tell you the proportion, but the vast majority of these documents are of no journalistic interest.”

She said there was “no written contract” among the organizations and WikiLeaks on the use of the material.

“The conditions were that we could ourselves — that’s to say our journalists and those at the other newspapers — do our own selection, our own triage,” and select which documents to withhold from public view, Kauffmann said.

The media outlets agreed to work together, with about 120 journalists in total working on the project, at times debating which names of people cited in the documents could be published.

“With this, I really think we have taken all the possible precautions,” Kauffman said. “At times, it comes up that we’ll discuss it between us, with the other papers, on some points. One of us struck too much out and another said ‘Come on, it’s about a high official, we can leave his/her name in. There won’t be any reprisals.’”

Le Monde and El Pais came into the media partnership late, about a month ago. The Times, Guardian and Spiegel had already done quite a bit of work on the documents and shared it, El Pais’ Moreno said.

Kauffmann declined to say how or when WikiLeaks contacted the publications about the documents. They began sorting through the material after WikiLeaks obtained it.

Some news organizations, including AP and The Washington Post, also have sought access to the documents, but they were denied because of the arrangement between the five media partners.

The Post reported this week that WikiLeaks approached CNN and the Wall Street Journal about receiving the documents and asked them to sign confidentiality agreements that would have entitled WikiLeaks to a payment of around $100,000 if the partner broke the embargo. The two news organizations declined.

Kauffman said there was no financial agreement with WikiLeaks.

“Never has anyone asked to pay anything, and if they had, we probably — certainly — would not have done so, because we never pay for news.”

___

Blackledge reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Niko Price contributed to this story from London.

Comments (46)

  • NoVampires
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:00pm

    Wait, you mean the bad guys are sleeping with the bad guys. And this is news because…

    Report Post »  
  • dontbotherme
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 7:58pm

    One of the first steps to overthrowing a Democracy/Republic is to take charge of all forms of media. The communist regime in power now is trying very hard to do this. I think that this is a well orchestrated plan. Be aware.

    Report Post »  
  • rightwingheroes
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 3:15pm

    NY Times should be shut down for aiding an enemy of the state

    Report Post »  
  • Tony Nagy
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 2:39pm

    This ASSange is giving us headaches too up North, my American Friends…
    http://www.calgarysun.com/news/canada/2010/12/03/16415691.html

    Report Post » Col. HawK  
  • The Bishop
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 1:22pm

    So, does this mean that if this Administration does ever finally getting around to pursuing charges against Assange that it will include U.S. media advisors with conspiracy to assist in undermining national security?

    Report Post » The Bishop  
    • Max jones
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 1:52pm

      We‘ll probably have to convict him before we can see what’s in the indictment. huh, Nancy?

      Report Post » Max jones  
  • steinie44
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 11:53am

    I, for one, would like to see the information they have on the Banks!

    Report Post » steinie44  
  • steinie44
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 11:51am

    I want to know all US Media Outlets names.

    Report Post » steinie44  
  • Sinista Mace
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 10:24am

    Snitch on all those corrupt bastards, Julian.

    Tell it ALL.

    Turn on the lights and watch the roaches RUN, Mr. Assange.

    Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
  • osagetrail
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 10:24am

    Relax! When Wikileaks threatened Russia they sealed their fate. Putin has no sense of humor and will certainly carry out his threat to have the SVR close their sites and kill everyone associated. They will too. The clock is ticking.

    Report Post »  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:29am

    http://www.couragetoresist.org/x/v Wikileaks is paying for Manning’s defense with over a MILLION in donations since August. Wonder if SOROS is on that donor list? I see they got the charges against Cheney they wanted out of this. What else next, charges against Gitmo “torturers? http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2010/1203/Dick-Cheney-to-be-charged-in-180-million-Halliburton-bribery-case

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • aLinedog
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:24am

    I am with Joe and the TJ’s Ghost on this one.
    They (Admin) ‘expressed outrage’ after two leaks. When informants were actually placed in danger. They knew how ineffective that would be -Administrations have been expressing outrage since 1991 at a number of Middle Eastern petty tyrants.
    Now, however, the State Dpt is embarressed (hello, Hillary? Look at your husband. I figured you’d be used to that by now -just sayin’.) and a Bank has been id’d as the next target of disclosure. They Are On It! None of this seems odd? FCC recently got shot down by congress on an Internet power grab… just a little odd maybe?

    He (Assange) enabled and promoted criminal activity and should be punished. Bradley should be tried for treason.
    That being said, Wikileaks has given us more transparency in a few months than we have gotten in 16 years of Progressive Government. That should count for something. Really folks, you saw the Rangel Fiasco. If the TEA Party hadn’t just handed the Dems their heads, Ole Charlie would be headed to the Dominican for a celebratory cocktail. Guess he’ll have to settle for a high-class DC joint.
    The United States Government has allowed this to continue, why? “Make this President do what he (wants/needs/has) to” Wasn’t that what Van Jones said? Can you think of a better reason than ‘National Security’ to hang a new FCC Beauracracy on?

    Where is the outrage at our ‘Diplomacy Corps’ behaviour? Politicians love to be called ‘the Honourable’ or ‘the Distinguished’, but when it comes down to brass tacks this lot are a bunch of petty back-biters. Untrue and faithless.
    -Line

    Report Post »  
    • Max jones
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 1:37pm

      LINE…I.agree that all of this looks fishy and the timing of it all, is just too convenient. Sure makes me want to know more….YOU?

      Report Post » Max jones  
  • txpedrn
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:05am

    It would be interesting to see if there is a common denominator among these media outlets. It feels like it was all orchestrated. Yep they even admit it. So they are complicit. Well time for the morning pray…join me…out country needs God.

    Report Post » txpedrn  
    • txpedrn
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:06am

      Sorry for the typos…not had enough coffee yet!

      Report Post » txpedrn  
  • mrfunn
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:02am

    Disclosing “State’s Secrets”

    New York Times,

    everyone knows your political orientation, but,

    are you a traitorous organization?

    (Hope you don’t mine if I repeat myself.)

    Report Post »  
  • hempstead1944
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:24am

    This has the finger print of Alexrod on it…….

    Report Post »  
  • capitalismrocks
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:19am

    Maybe all of the editors of those “newspapers” should be indicted right along with Assange!

    Report Post » capitalismrocks  
  • mcmeador
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:12am

    The New York Times collaborating with Wikileaks? Noooooooo…..

    Report Post »  
  • sissykatz
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:06am

    It looks to me that they have all conspired in this, I wish they would all be conviced, but that is only a wish….Eric Holder will not do crap>>>>>> But since they have already broken the journalistic rules, I do wish they would realease all the criminal practices of Obammers administration. Would never do that because they are still biased even with stolen articles.

    Report Post »  
    • WVdad
      Posted on December 4, 2010 at 10:29pm

      Eric holder will do crap, ever since 911 they crap every oppurtunity they create or come upon, all over us and our rights

      Report Post »  
  • joeliberty
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 7:53am

    Truly, people you are careless or just plain stupid! This wikileaks fellow needs to have his freedom of the press protected. Remember, he is just the messenger. You all come on here griping and complaining about our government, seconds later you defend this same government that is stealing all of your liberty in the name of security. This government’s only interest is covering up its crimes and protecting its own criminals in high places. When are you going to learn that? The sooner the corruption is exposed the better off we will all be! Give him a break! He is shining a light on darkness. Have you noticed as soon as he did this he was also considered a rapist?

    Report Post »  
    • AnOregonian
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:09am

      Joe, that is crazy talk. These leaks are not simply a whistle blowers actions, rather it’s the release of national secrets with the expressed intent of damaging “our” relationships; globe wide. It’s espionage and deserving of life imprisonment and perhaps capital punishment.

      Report Post » AnOregonian  
    • joeliberty
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 3:32pm

      Anoregonian….If you want globalism over sovereignty than keep defending our governments unconstitutional meddling in foreign affairs! I can see that you are not very well-versed in what our Founders thought of foreign entanglements. If the Constitution were being followed (Article 1 Section 8) we would not be having this conversation right now!

      Report Post »  
  • Hefsmaster
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 7:53am

    This was all a plan and it is clearly working.

    Report Post » Hefsmaster  
  • iwalkalone
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 7:51am

    I agree with Coulter. This sissified twerp is a posterboy for dont ask dont tell. Gays are mentally unstable, easily blackmailed, antisocial, and delusional. Why isnt this ever mentioned? His motivation was wrapped up in his gay beliefs. Like women, everything they move in on turns to a messsed up dysfunctional whine session. They foul up work situations, armies, ships, and now whole economies. Being useless they demand more and more but contribute less and less, and completely demoralizes the productive. Net losers determined to bring down all successful systems.
    I wonder why all these women in the work force, yet we have massive debts and have mortgaged away all our wealth, good job socialists!

     
    • snowleopard3200 {mix art}
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:13am

      Like women, everything they move in on turns to a messsed up dysfunctional whine session. They foul up work situations, armies, ships, and now whole economies.

      for the record, I have known more than a few men who fall into the same category; some of them we have elected to congress (God alone knows why) and some to the Presidency (Ugh!)

      So there is across the board in humanity the ability to sink ships, relationships and entire national economies by the whiners and complainers.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • iwalkalone
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:45am

      What industry that was formerly male dominated, now infested, has not experienced a decline in salary and prestige? seems that is the goal, labor cost reduction, quality be damned.
      look at standardized tests. once claimed biased toward males, now biased toward females. males still tend toi score higher on those, but grades and schools favor females. that is after the tests have been compromised. Men dominate top layer still, even after the test was smashed down to eliminate highest scores entirely, thus lots of perfect scores and the false appearance that females now reaching the top. its all bs. Look art math teaching, now female oriented and the USA is overall lower in math than ghana. you see, they couldnt bring up the gal scores, so they crushed the miscreant males that scored high. good job socialists, china, japan and india are crushing us in math. just like all male mfg jobs now held by chinese men while our black males must be housed in prisons because they have no opportunity.

      Report Post »  
    • Max jones
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 11:23am

      whoa there big boy…..misogyny(sic) won’t fly very far here. I believe we need our women to help us pull this through….a.great untapped moral treasure trove.

      Report Post » Max jones  
  • GIDDIONKANE
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 7:45am

    USA needs to hold the “media” sourses accountable also, if there advising then, thats called conspireing. they are just as guilty as sillyleaks man. if the “leaks ” are so bad how come most folks already knew about them? what else dose he have to “leak” is it really a bad thing? overall the goverment shoulda had better security(TSA? lol) but really the leaking guy and the fake media(as there are few “real media” sources left) need to moderate what the put out, we already mis-trust the gov. this is just setting the guidelines for chaos and anarchy.

    Report Post » GIDDIONKANE  
  • Pawsupday
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 7:41am

    Soro’s controlling the media ….so it can be top down….bottom up….inside out! And the people will rise up to say to the US Gov. stop this and then the commies will be in control! Be careful everyone for what you wish for……

    Report Post » Pawsupday  
    • snowleopard3200 {mix art}
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 7:58am

      Take advantage of every emergency? I believe the administration or one of its cronies (Soros sponsored) put it like that. Added caveat: If you do not have an ‘emergency’ then let the smallest of events be made into the emergency you need.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Bronco II
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 10:08am

      I second that.

      Report Post » Bronco II  
  • MAULEMALL
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 7:34am

    Absolutely NOTHING was done till wikileaks made a statement that they were going after obamas buddies on wall street.. Then BAM… Shut downs galore.

    Report Post » MAULEMALL  
    • truthwinz
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 7:53am

      Ain’t THAT the truth ! DOJ dances around for 6mo….Obama stands on the sideline watching / doing / saying nothing…..and evidently Wikileaks was okay as long as they were dumping DOD and State docs.

      Report Post » truthwinz  
  • guyperram
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 7:33am

    What a shock, our Marxist news organizations helping this guy, shocking! They just want to do as much damage as they can. Idiots and useful idiots are everywhere.

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on December 3, 2010 at 7:32am

    Prosecute all involved and please CIA, bullet to the back of the head for the sissyleaks guy!

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • MAULEMALL
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 7:36am

      Absolutely NOTHING was done till wikileaks made a statement that they were going after obamas buddies on wall street.. Then BAM… Shut downs galore.

      Report Post » MAULEMALL  
    • rebel
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 7:55am

      you are absolutely correct. as soon as the Wall St. info came to light it became a serious subject. I bet he walks and we never see that info.

      Report Post » quiet little lamb  
    • snowleopard3200 {mix art}
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 7:56am

      Consider this though – wikileaks and the other news groups are ‘working together’ on the releasing of the information. Does anyone believe that the administration, or someone advising it will not see this as one more opportunity to advocate for ‘cracking down on the right wing, hate spewing, liberty denying, etc news groups?’

      Someone will make a claim of ‘conspiracy’ about the news groups, link it to both the need for the fairness doctrine and net neutrality; and one or more chunks in the right of expression, and freedom of speech go out the window into the arms of the government.

      Watch, and report anything smelling like a dead fish or a skunk.

      http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • drbage
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 9:09am

      One part of the story that they are not revealing is WHO is controlling and/or financing a lot of the news outlets–spooky, isn’t it?

      Report Post »  
    • Max jones
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 11:18am

      Snow leopard…Now you and I have common ground on this issue.
      Mallmaule….I believe you have hit on the reason the potus is now involved.

      Report Post » Max jones  
    • Psychosis
      Posted on December 3, 2010 at 1:07pm

      lots of interesting things happen when you piss off bankers just ask president Lincoln

      http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-515319560256183936#

      wilkes booth admitted to being hired by bankers to assassinate Lincoln…………….wonder why noone knows about it

      Report Post » Psychosis  

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