Government Surveillance and Supervision (Essay Sample)

Government surveillance and supervision over the people’s online privacy in return for security
Name:
Institution:
Government surveillance and supervision over the people’s online privacy in return for security
Introduction.
When the idea of keeping information online to expose some of the hidden secrets by powerful individuals and companies crossed the minds of Julian Assange, it was meant to provide freedom that has always been articulated in the constitution. This type of freedom is being accelerated by internet to provide users with freedom to share their views ,speak openly and transparently on issues that affects majority but are kept as secret to protect others. Wiki leaks are just but many examples where technology is being embraced to drive social changes needed for democracy according to (Benedetta, B. et al, 2013). This can be termed as a blessing in disguise because of the way it has been embraced .I agree that internet has globalised many sectors where people are linked internationally with allot of freedom spaces being opened up compared to previous decades.
The online scenario is something many had dreamt of earlier where they envisioned freedom to do business internationally, share ideas across the globe. Not many people would like to see such freedom because this will hurt their ill intentions. That’s why many of those previously mentioned on wiki leaks have quick intentions to control it. More so the individuals who have been mention on Wiki leaks mostly being politicians and corporate top managements. They have powers influence and legislate laws that they can take advantage. With these positions they have the capability to limit freedom for their own selfish gains. Therefore using internet is the only way social change can be realized according to (Benedetta, B. et al, 2013). The idea of weak leaks has come at the right time because it uses the modern technology to make people have the information about the selfish ways of the elite that inspires people to fight against these oppressors. Internet has increased the number of activists because its platform. Internet has enormous information and provides available and accessible information that have been traditionally been restricted to specific locations like libraries according to (Benedetta, B. et al, 2013). People work collectively in such environments with unbelievable outcomes. This is what most governments fear .Unfortunately internet services and some of its features are beyond borders making it not easy to be controlled like in the cases of the traditional media. The casing point being, many of Arab countries having strict laws regarding information and communication but with technological changes, information still leaks out because of the need for change from the oppressed people. People believe that this is their only hope to access transparent information that will pressure their governments to be more democratic according to (Benedetta, B. et al, 2013).
The main concern therefore is to understand the idea behind wikileaks and it actions, how does it affects policy making and drive social changes being witnessed .The other aspects of looking at wikileaks would be its effect in relation to increased transparency and what others can learn from it. Lastly, what have been the consequences of such leaks have on the government and its people in trying to find democracy.
The existence of wiki leaks.
Most whistleblowers were finding it hard to back up their proof of unethical practices encounters in different work places as much as laws are in place to protect then. Hence the birth of wiki leaks .compared to other source of information like media focusing on procedures, wiki leaks focused on providing information through leaks because most people felt that the media was a letdown according to (Ball, J . 2011). Their main concern was to make information the free by setting the pace for whistle blowing to become the better option for fighting self interest of mostly governments. Normally in most regimes, certain information could not be available to the public as it is considered an offense. Therefore wiki leaks provides a more safe passage for sharing such vital information that were mostly mistakes or government taking advantage of lack of public knowledge in making certain undemocratic decisions. Within the years of it existence the platform has shared information about government dealings and secrets considered harmful by many but useful to the public. The most significant cases have been the Icelandic financial crisis dealings, to dumping of toxic waste in Ivory Coast. other have been the Sarah Pulin secret emails on the list of his party members .Within it 4 years of existence allot of damaging information have come into the public limelight . Most people term the founder as a traitor while other celebrates him as the peoples’ hero. This was triggered more when they shared a video of the US air striking killing Iraq civilian in the 2007 according to (Rogers, S. 2010).
When reading the leaks one would be left wondering if the information is helpful or it is meant to damage the reputation of many governments. It exposes the gaps within the security systems of these governments. With the reaction from these governments you could not tell exactly which country is more democratic when comparing. For example in the case of wiki leaks when Bradley Manning was arrested in connection to wiki leaks as much other media outlets were involved like the New York Times, no action was taken against them (McGreal, C, 2010).
Gaps in the mainstream media.
In Wiki leaks case most people argued that the New York Times needed not to have produced such information .This is typical of media where they are required to observe ethics, care and professionalism in reporting. When the video collateral murder was released wiki leaks claimed that some parts were edited. So they released another version, this caused a fall out between the two as each of them wanted to defend their positions. Therefore we can only see the difference between institution reporting and individualized network reporting system like wiki leak. The New York Times editor insists that wiki leaks information gathering is not close to be called journalism. Therefore it is not surprising to find a big difference between the main stream media and wiki leak platforms because both have different agendas according to (Ball, J, 2011). As much as wiki leaks sources are considered unprofessional most of these sources at time feed information to the mainstream media. For example in the case of the Iran protest reforms and the London underground train bombings, the first media images came from individuals from the public as the only reliable footages for news updates. The recent cases of the Arab spring revolution in Tunisia and Egypt can also support this point. Footages from personal cameras were channeled to the mainstream media for news updates considering the volatile situation. Reporter could not access first hand information compared to the people on the ground (Ball, J, 2011).
In general the use of such outlets can give quality and in-depth information .It is not easy to deploy people all over the world to gather information that makes news headlines but through a system like wiki leaks individual can always come forward with information if assured protection .On the other hand wiki leaks cannot bring public attention as an individual entity, it needs media. Media is considered to capture public attention easily and fast. That is why however difficult, wiki leaks needed the assistance from media houses to bring public attention of the wrong doings by governments according to (Benedetta, B. et al, 2013).
What needs to be done.
Bob Woodward investigation an investigation that lead to Nixon impeachment is closely linked to "follow the money" one of the latest leaks presented by wiki leaks on president Obama foreign policy. Wiki leaks claimed that the US government employed the same strategy as they did in dealing with Al Qaeda dubbed " take the money go for the infrastructure" .These were information shared by wiki leaks on how the US attorney had been secretly investigating wiki leaks which is not justified. Wiki leaks released confidential information on communication in the US department and partnered with newspapers to release document. The documents contained the investigation process and actions that were supposed to be taken according to emails which were classified as confidential. Emails were obtained from a private intelligence corporation called Stratford indicating that the United States government was secretly going to Julian Assange the founder of wiki leaks .This had been going on for 12 months as reported by wiki leaks according to (Benedetta, B. et al, 2013). Using selected media houses wiki leaks did release full detailed reports. Some med...