An initial look at what is new politically and journalistically about Wikileaks. Is it a new form of journalism? what impact will it have on democracy?

1. What’s new about Wikileaks? Charlie Beckett POLIS, LSE @charliebeckett c.h.beckett@lse.ac.uk www.charliebeckett.org

2. It’s traditional journalism It takes a source (leaker) to make a Wikileak It has an editor and a newsroom and a brand It’s selective – they chose what to release It has a motive – to expose abuses It needs a platform with an audience It can be sued, censored and it needs revenue http://futureoftheinternet.org/wikileaks-cable-faq

3. It’s a new challenge to power

5. Its’ a new challenge to power “What WikiLeaks is really exposing is the extent to which the western democratic system has been hollowed out.” John Naughton

6. It’s a new challenge to power That’s why they are attacking it It gives evidence for abuse of power It protects sources and disseminates beyond normal legal sanctions It exposes how power works, not just what it does It is ideologically motivated It is a challenge to networked power (Castells)

7. It’s a new challenge to journalism “It….forces journalists and news organisations to demonstrate to what extent they are now part of an establishment it is their duty to report.” Emily Bell

8. It’s a new challenge to journalism It is independent It is non-profit It is ideologically motivated It is disruptive of normal media/power relations It has a different risk calculation It is not accountable to usual media regulation

9. It’s networked data journalism It relies on user generated content (the leakers!) It is working with mainstream media It is putting material online for public to use It is supported by the public But: Is it transparent?

10. Where does it end? Transparency as default Endless accountability Or: Privacy premium Digital vaults Uneven Internet

11. What’s new about Wikileaks? Charlie Beckett POLIS, LSE @charliebeckett c.h.beckett@lse.ac.uk www.charliebeckett.org