The First WikiLeaks Revolution?

[Bragi]

Tunisians didn't need any more reasons to protest when they took to the streets these past weeks -- food prices were rising, corruption was rampant, and unemployment was staggering. But we might also count Tunisia as the first time that WikiLeaks pushed people over the brink. These protests are also about the country's utter lack of freedom of expression -- including when it comes to WikiLeaks...

Of course, Tunisians didn't need anyone to tell them this. But the details noted in the cables -- for example, the fact that the first lady may have made massive profits off a private school -- stirred things up. Matters got worse, not better (as surely the government hoped), when WikiLeaks was blocked by the authorities and started seeking out dissidents and activists on social networking sites...

As in the recent so-called "Twitter Revolutions" in Moldova and Iran, there was clearly lots wrong with Tunisia before Julian Assange ever got hold of the diplomatic cables. Rather, WikiLeaks acted as a catalyst: both a trigger and a tool for political outcry. Which is probably the best compliment one could give the whistle-blower site.

http://wikileaks.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/01/13/wikileaks_and_the_tunisia_protests

[Catherina]

1. This is very important. "Tunisia as the first time that WikiLeaks pushed people over the brink."

count Tunisia as the first time that WikiLeaks pushed people over the brink. These protests are also about the country's utter lack of freedom of expression -- including when it comes to WikiLeaks...

...

As PayPal and Amazon learned last year, WikiLeaks' supporters don't take kindly to being denied access to the Internet. And the hacking network Anonymous launched an operation, OpTunisia, against government sites "as long as the Tunisian government keep acting the way they do," an Anonymous member told the Financial Times.

As in the recent so-called "Twitter Revolutions" in Moldova and Iran, there was clearly lots wrong with Tunisia before Julian Assange ever got hold of the diplomatic cables. Rather, WikiLeaks acted as a catalyst: both a trigger and a tool for political outcry. Which is probably the best compliment one could give the whistle-blower site.

[nc4bo]

2. I guess this is why our own government is twisting itself into pretzels

over Wikileaks and those who supply it with information.

Surprise.

[Catherina]

4. The whole house of cards could come crashing down

People armed with information, with confirmation of the corruption they suspect in their governments, and collusion with foreign interests over the welfare of the people, nope, that won't go over very well.

Like you said, surprise. This revolution is a very pleasant way to start off the New Year if they can replace the government and keep the Army from seizing power.

[amyrose2712]

8. I doubt it, American Idol is starting soon.

Maybe I am being pessimistic and cynical but I'm not so sure the "masses" know or care about wikileaks

[boppers]

10. The "masses" don't need to know.

It only takes a handful of people to change the world.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. Bravo for the Tunisians and WikiLeaks. K&R

[Enrique]

5. police states are the most freaked out

Assange says China is his biggest enemy.

[Catherina]

6. Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Egypt are shitting right now.

Algeria is next for sure.

[Uncle Joe]

7. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Bragi.

[drm604]

9. It's amazing to watch this happening.

This kind of thing has become inevitable. If it wasn't Wikileaks it would have been some other organization, or maybe just P2P torrents, or Usenet, or something else. It's inevitable and the ultimate results, likely both good and bad but hopefully mostly good, are totally unpredictable.

[anamandujano]

11. Trying to get up to speed on this plus some hopefulness for

our poor country and world is what brought me back to DU.

I've paid no attention to any political news, or other news for that matter, only followed by headlines at yahoo. Mostly never clicked through for details.

Yes, ignorance is bliss when you just can't take anymore and are in energy conservation mode.

[Kurovski]

12. Kick. (nt)