The internet has provided the platform for the disclosure of secret military documents, detailing the war in Afghanistan.
It has led to devastating discoveries of almost 195 accidental civilian deaths, exposing the bleak and dark reality of the war in Afghanistan.
The files were obtained by Wikileaks, an online international organisation that publishes submissions of sensitive government documents whilst keeping identity of their sources anonymous.
The files were then made available to The Guardian, The New York Times and German weekly Der Spiegel, giving a blow by blow account of the fighting between January 2004 and December 2009.
Containing over 90,000 US records, the files reveal many previously unknown incidents including troops shooting unarmed motorcyclists and drivers in an attempt to protect themselves from suicide bombers.
The Whitehouse criticised Wikileaks decision to publish these files stating:
“”We strongly condemn the disclosure of classified information by individuals and organisations, which puts the lives of the US and partner service members at risk and threatens our national security. Wikileaks made no effort to contact the US government about these documents, which may contain information that endanger the lives of Americans, our partners, and local populations who co-operate with us.”
However, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange defended the decision claiming that good journalism should involve controversy. He also highlighted the internet’s vital role in enabling members of the public to access information that may have previously been impossible to leak.
Rachel Reid, who investigates civilian causalities in Afghanistan for Human Rights Watch said:
“These files bring to light what’s been a consistent trend by US and Nato forces: the concealment of civilian casualties. Despite numerous tactical directives ordering transparent investigations when civilians are killed, there have been incidents I’ve investigated in recent months where this is still not happening.
Accountability is not just something you do when you are caught. It should be part of the way the US and Nato do business in Afghanistan every time they kill or harm civilians.”
This latest leak is being called one of the biggest in US military history. Whilst many try to divulge the reports and accounts brought to light, you can’t help but note the powerful impact the internet has had in bringing previously unknown information to public attention.
Given the technological advancements in recent history and the enormous growth of the internet, the power to expose information and publish content is ever rising. In today’s technological age, it seems nothing is truly immune from publication.
