The study compares the ethical standpoints and modus operandi of established journalistic media and online leak sites such as Wikileaks, and analyses the relations between the two. Both actors are observed as a part of the emerging new information ecosystem, which is characterized by co-operation between established journalistic media and voluntary online communities in the analysis, evaluation and modification of (publicly available) data.
The study focuses on three themes:
1) How have established journalistic media reacted to the emergence of leak sites? How have they used leak sites’ material so far?
2) What are the ethics and modus operandi of leak sites? How do they go together with journalists’ ethical principles and codes, everyday practices and views of freedom of speech?
3) What kind of practical problems (if any) have established journalistic media had with using leak sites’ material? How have such problems been solved?
Empirically, these questions are considered in conjunction with Cablegate – the leaked US diplomatic cables’ affair revealed by Wikileaks and its partner newspapers at the end of 2010. The issue is investigated in Finnish, Swedish and British media, and the methods are content analysis of stories done about the affair, and interviews with journalists in different media who have played a significant part in Cablegate reporting. In addition, activists of and experts in leak sites are interviewed.
Responsible researcher: Mr. Heikki Heikkilä (heikki.heikkila@uta.fi)
Researcher: Mr. Jari Väliverronen (jari.valiverronen@uta.fi)
Funding: The Helsingin Sanomat Foundation
Research period: 2011-2013