Name: Why the world needs WikiLeaks
Uploaded: 2010-07-19T10:04:00Z
Duration: 19 min 16 s
Description: The controversial website WikiLeaks collects and posts highly classified documents and video. Founder Julian Assange talks to TED's Chris Anderson about how WikiLeaks operates and what drives their mission. The interview includes graphic footage of a US airstrike in Baghdad.

The controversial website WikiLeaks collects and posts highly classified documents and video. Founder Julian Assange talks to TED's Chris Anderson about how WikiLeaks operates and what drives their mission. The interview includes graphic footage of a US airstrike in Baghdad.

Why the world needs WikiLeaks

Exposing secrets can shift elections, reshape narratives, and challenge powerful institutions. A secret intelligence report released before Kenya’s 2007 election changed the vote by 10 percent, according to an internal assessment. Carefully vetted leaks, like the Baghdad airstrike video, bring uncomfortable realities into the open and force public conversations. Protecting sources is essential, but the goal remains the same: let the world see what others work hard to hide.