Università degli Studi di Pavia Corso di laurea interfacoltà in Editoria e Comunicazione Multimediale Relatore: Chiar.mo Prof. Fabio Muzzio Correlatore: Chiar.mo Prof. Guido Legnante Tesi di laurea di Alessandro Capone Anno accademico 2010/2011 C OURAGE IS CONTAGIOUS. W IKI L EAKS, LA ROCKSTAR DELL ’ ERA DIGITALE

From wikileaks.org W ikiLeaks is a non-profit media organization dedicated to bringing important news and information to the public. We provide an innovative, secure and anonymous way for independent sources around the world to leak information to our journalists. We publish material of ethical, political and historical significance while keeping the identity of our sources anonymous, thus providing a universal way for the revealing of suppressed and censored injustices.

HISTORY, OPERATING MEDIA ANALYSIS TWO MAIN ASPECTS

“You have to start with the truth. The truth is the only way that we can get anywhere. Because any decision-making that is based upon lies or ignorance can't lead to a good conclusion.” Julian Assange Early life Hacking and conviction Computer programming and University studies WikiLeaks

WikiLeaks’ greatest scoops before 2010 Julius Baer Swiss Bank Standard Operating Procedures for Camp Delta The collected secret “bibles” of Scientology Climate Research Unit s Sarah Palin’s account BNP Membership Trafigura Minton’s report Kaupthing Bank Great firewall of Australia

Collateral Murder, 5 th April Afghan War Diaries, 25 th July Iraq War Diaries, 22 nd October Cablegate, since 28 th November Manning’s Arrest, 26 th May Leaks and events in 2010

Leaks on Guantanamo Camp Delta Standard Procedures Guantanamo Files (Cablegate) November 2007 April 2011

Some results… Different approaches for the two leaks All newspapers criticize the United States (Obama) WikiLeaks discloses new details on whereabouts of al-Qaeda leaders on 9/11 (Washington Post)

The Collateral Murder “Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind” G.Orwell

Some results… Media deal with the organization, WL is not simply appointed but the journalists write in-depth articles Wikileaks, la “Cia del Popolo” che spaventa il Pentagono (Corriere della Sera from NYT) What would Daniel Ellsberg do with the Pentagon Papers today? (NYT) Other european cases El Paìs, the real surprise! Why NYT, Der Spiegel and El Paìs will be the media partners?

The Cablegate Il Giornale vs La Repubblica Analysis from November 22 to December 1

Concern (and articles) increases approaching to the publication date. Conspiracy against Italy? Wikileaks, altro scoop. Nelle carte pure l'Italia “Strategia per colpirci” (Il Giornale) VS Wikileaks e rifiuti, Frattini vede il complotto.“Strategia per colpire l'immagine dell'Italia” (La Repubblica) Profile of Julian Assange Assange, l'uomo che spaventa i potenti (Il Giornale) VS Tutti i segreti di Julian Assange, l'uomo che fa tremare il potere (La Repubblica) Berlusconi’s Friendship Clinton: "Berlusconi? Non c'è amico migliore". Assange messo al bando: ricercato in 188 Paesi (Il Giornale) VS Clinton: "Berlusconi, il miglior amico". Caccia internazionale ad Assange (La Repubblica)

The “victims” Are the Cables important? Is WL journalism? New opportunity Conclusions

You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you mad Aldous Huxley