WikiLeaks (2010)

About

In 2010, WikiLeaks orchestrated a massive leak of classified U.S. government documents, exposing significant aspects of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This included the release of the "Collateral Murder" video, showing a U.S. helicopter attack that killed civilians, including Reuters journalists. Additionally, WikiLeaks published the Afghan War Diary and Iraq War Logs, detailing civilian casualties and unreported incidents. These releases were facilitated by Chelsea Manning, a U.S. Army intelligence analyst who leaked the documents. The leak also included over 250,000 U.S. State Department diplomatic cables, revealing behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts and tensions. The releases sparked intense international debate and criticism from the U.S. government, which claimed they endangered national security. Despite legal challenges and cyber attacks, WikiLeaks continued to operate, distributing its findings through major newspapers and its website. The leaks marked a significant moment in whistleblower history, highlighting the role of digital platforms in exposing government secrets.