No, it should be Bradley Manning
Who was most likely the actual source of the cable leaks, and the "Collateral Murder" helicopter gunship video. And all the other people who actually SENT documents to WikiLeaks. They are the ones taking real risks. Whilst the media circus focuses on Assange and his few days in prison, Manning has been in a military jail since May. No celebrities can come forward and bail him out.

WikiLeaks is certainly an important website for how it has helped disseminate these materials, but Assange seems unfairly to be getting all the credit for it. In fact personally I think his strategy this year of gallivanting around, courting a few media outlets and focusing almost entirely on the US government has actually damaged the site, compared to what it was originally.
( the wub - guide onion for the blind, Sat 18 Dec 2010, 21:58, 2 replies)

This is an excellent point
Assange seems to have forgotten a cardinal rule of investigative journalism; protect your source.
( wotofco pissing in your swimming pool, Sun 19 Dec 2010, 8:38, closed)

protect your source wear a condom
(Ronnie Spleen MMMMNEURRGH I AM A GAY SPAZ AND I LOVE IT UP MY BU, Tue 21 Dec 2010, 14:58, closed)

some have said
that Assange became the media whore he now is, in an attempt to get attention for wikileaks. They are still figuring out how to do this. The dumping of the iraq/afghan war documents all in one hit didn't quite work either.

What's interesting in all this, is even though there have been some outrageous allegations (you know, like the military killing civilians without a second thought), no-one seems to care much.
( Sextant goes to him is emotionally erect, on this day, Wed 22 Dec 2010, 16:20, closed)