Wikileaks

The Committee on Legislation (COL) and the Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) are reviewing the issues associated with WikiLeaks’ ongoing disclosure of large numbers of classified United States government documents, including the decision by the Library of Congress and other government agencies to block online access to the WikiLeaks web site. We know that many ALA members and units, in addition to Council, are following these events and wish to be involved in discussions about these issues at Midwinter.

WikiLeaks raises many policy issues including, but not limited to, access to government information, censorship and the blocking of web sites, government secrecy and the over-classification of government information, treatment of whistleblowers, government transparency and the legalities surrounding classified information.  The IFC and COL have asked staff from the Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF) and the Office of Government relations (OGR) to assist Council and other interested ALA members and units by bringing together information  about the issues and policy questions raised by WikiLeaks’ activities, and the government’s response to those activities:

• Wikileaks and Its Relationship to ALA
• Freedom of Expression / Open Internet Access
• Classified Documents and Government Secrecy
• Library of Congress
• National Security
• Law and Legal Issues
• Comments and Discussion

As we proceed, we know that IFC and COL would appreciate hearing your questions so as to be most helpful to you and others as the Association discusses these important issues.  Please contact:  Barbara Jones or Deborah Caldwell-Stone or Lynne Bradley if you have any questions.

COL and IFC will keep Council informed of developments as they occur.

News and Opinion

An Open Letter to U.S. Government Officials Regarding Free Expression in the Wake of the Wikileaks Controversy (signed by ALA)

Statement on Wikileaks – Norwegian Library Organizations

Everyone vs. Wikileaks: A Timeline
PC Magazine