WikiLeaks Statement on the Election

This morning, Julian Assange released a statement on WikiLeaks about the reason why they have been continuing to publish what they publish, despite criticism from the Obama administration, the Clinton campaign, and certain liberals who are concerned about the information's affects on the election's outcome.

He writes: "We publish material given to us if it is of political, diplomatic, historical or ethical importance and which has not been published elsewhere. When we have material that fulfills this criteria, we publish. We had information that fit our editorial criteria which related to the Sanders and Clinton campaign (DNC Leaks) and the Clinton political campaign and Foundation (Podesta Emails). No-one disputes the public importance of these publications." Essentially, Assange is saying that he publishes what he gets and feels that it is important to release any and all information that meets his criteria. This is not, in his opinion, a political move by any means, but rather a means of disclosure. He continues, saying that had WikiLeaks found or was given information regarding the Trump, Johnson, or Stein campaign, it would have been released, but "we cannot publish what we do not have".

Assange also talks about the risks of not publishing such important information, citing The New York Times for when they withheld information about mass surveillance in the United States until after the 2004 election. He accuses Clinton of painting independent media like WikiLeaks and The Intercept with incredibly broad strokes, treating some of the most important investigative reporters as terrorists who possibly have allegiance with Russia. Assange responds to this by saying: "The campaign was unable to invoke evidence about our publications—because none exists."

It remains to be seen whether the information released by WikiLeaks will result in a Trump presidency, but facts or facts, and I have to agree with Assange that the primary goal of a journalist is to inform - and all WikiLeaks did was just that.