WikiLeaks challenges the concept of nation: PN Vasanti

For some time now, there has been discussion on how the internet is impacting the spread of information, but the idea was dramatised this week when WikiLeaks, a Sweden-based website, released over 90,000 classified documents of the US military pertaining to the war in Afghanistan.

These military logs, covering the period between January 2004 and December 2009, reveal details on the deaths of civilians, increased Taliban attacks, and involvement by Pakistan and Iran in the insurgency.

Apart from causing a stir in Washington, the leak has also drawn attention to the role new media can play in providing alternative points of view. At the same time, credibility is still an issue, which is probably why WikiLeaks felt it necessary to partner with three newspapers — The New York Times, The Guardian and Der Spiegel — which published reports based on advance access to the documents, before they were put up online. In times to come, however, the citizen’s voice will grow stronger in a globalised media, says PN Vasanti, director, Centre for Media Studies, in an interview with DNA.

Are new technologies and the internet making the idea of secret or classified information irrelevant?
Yes, new technologies and new media will not allow classification of information to happen. Suppose there is a new archaeological find and nobody wants to talk about it, somebody can still click a picture and upload it on Facebook. How can you stop that? Today you can’t even monitor who has what information.
We are in an age where information is being bombarded from all directions. It is now up to us to understand what is important, and what is not. In this age, classified information makes no sense.
Why didn’t WikiLeaks go ahead
and publish the documents independently, instead of approaching traditional media houses first?
Studies have shown that the print media is much more credible than even the electronic media. The internet is way behind in credibility. In the US, though the print media is in decline, it still holds credibility, at least when it comes to serious issues like the leak of classified information.
New media does play a critical role. But I understand why (WikiLeaks founder Julian) Assange went for (such an approach) — it is a promotion for WikiLeaks, and also an endorsement. If I see my name in a newspaper, it is an endorsement of my viewpoint.
What gaps are internet-based news websites filling?
The traditional media have been ignoring certain types of issues — especially developmental issues. The greatest thing the web has done is give voice to a lot of people who are not able to find space in mainstream media. People who cannot make it to television screens or write in newspapers are able to document their woes and express themselves
What are the downsides of internet-based media?
They haven’t established their credibility and people know that.
Secondly, the communication on internet media is one-to-one, not one-to-many. In TV, many people are watching the content, although I as a user don’t have so much control over content. The control (a user gets) over content is the biggest advantage, but also the biggest disadvantage of new media — today, if I have a viewpoint, I will tend to go towards websites with similar viewpoints. For example, I used to think the concept of caste will disappear, but the internet has reinforced these concepts and further alienated people. That is one of the biggest drawbacks of new media.
Is it possible to create checks and balances so that the freedom that new media gives is not abused?
There is an attempt to regulate the internet in some countries — China is a good example. The US has tried it to some extent, but they haven’t really succeeded.
When you try to control the internet, it goes beyond journalism. It is the common citizen you are trying to control. 
WikiLeaks has been described by some as a ‘stateless news media’…
The concept of the citizen’s voice is emerging very fast in a globalised media. The situations we are now facing in the world — whether it is the environment or terrorism — are global in nature. These issues will become much more pressing in the times to come. With something like WikiLeaks, which is a formless organisation, the whole concept of regulation — and the concept of nation itself — has been challenged.
    r_krishna@dnaindia.net