As we discussed in our previous discussion about whistleblowers and national security I recently saw The Fifth Estate and it ties directly into this topic.
Should whistleblowers be allowed to exposed classified government information so people can know the TRUTH about their government or should whistleblowers be blocked by governments in an attempt to silence them.
In America the theme a freedom of speech resonates in your head when you think of whistleblowers are they just their rights exercising. Everyone knows about Julian Assange the creators of Wikileaks. Was he justified in release classified government information from various countries???? Should this whistleblower identifies be concealed for their safety?? Is national security more important than learning the truth about governments fabricated stories to cover up scandals and missions gone wrong ?
Here a a trailer of the movie if you get a chance go see it
Well, as I think Graber would say, if I get a chance I will definitely have to check out that docudrama. I think that is how Julian Assange also perceived the idea of creating the film The Fifth Estate, because he feared that the film would be more geared to entertain audiences as opposed to inform. Benedict Cumberbatch also realized this when he emailed Assange explaining that he did not want to portray him as villainous.
ReplyDeleteIn reference to the question at hand regarding whistle-blowers and first amendment rights, I feel as though whether it is inherently right or wrong can very contextual. For example, Assange points out that people such as Andrew Snowden and Sarah Harrison who have had to seek asylum and who are in exile respectively. Clearly, the hostility that has stemmed from the Wikileaks controversy has put people from that organization in danger, although it is of my understanding that some of the leaked information does jeopardize national security.
I think governments should be more truthful about their dealings, because information does have the potential to leak. I think Assange feels justified in releasing the information because the US is seen as the most powerful country right now, and he would like for the world to know we have our flaws as well. Assange is Australian so I don't think he feels obligated to withhold information about the US even if it compromises national security.Whistleblowers are important to democracy because they keep the government in check. Also, whistleblowing is the ability to use your first amendment right. Even if your speech is not liked by someone or the government you still have the right to be heard.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dominique and this is an insightful post. I believe that whistleblowers are by al means necessary. When we focused on the video of President Bush and how we used America's emotions to evoke a War I think that whistleblowers become handy. First and foremost, from watching 9/11 documentaries and Farenheit 9/11 you learn that much of 9/11 could have been avoided and it was more corrupt government doings that led to the wake of the War in Iraq. Many lives could have been saved and those acts of terror could have been prevented had those situation been handled more effectively. If Americans knew then what we know now would the war still have taken place? Freedom of speech and press is one of our inalienable rights. The government may have issues with whistleblowers but politicians pride themselves on being honest and upholding the voice of the people, for the people. When that oath they take is circumvented by corruption and the interest of the people are lost we have the right to be informed. Thats why we vote. That's the key ideal of democracy. If a whistleblowers insight becomes obliterate defamation then censorship may be in order but if the truth is being upheld and obviously media follows more the drama than the truth then I do not see a problem with the revelation of insightful information that may have been used me, my emotions or my patriotism to insight negativity.
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