Agree or disagree, most readers have opinions on WikiLeaks

The following comments reflect the views of DW-WORLD.DE readers. Not all reader comments have been published. DW-WORLD.DE reserves the right to edit for length and appropriateness of content.

Who is the man behind WikiLeaks?

Well, so far Wiki hasn't leaked a thing the world didn't already know anyway. Mostly we "discover" that those arrogant American politicians have no respect for foreign people including foreign politicians - as if that were news we didn't know all along already. We "discover" that China is getting irritated with North Korea which is nothing new. We "discover" that the British royal family is arrogant as if we ever would have had any doubts about that. We "discover" that the Saudi royalty has no respect for human rights as if that were news. What exactly is the hoopla about WikiLeaks all about? Maybe it will teach American "diplomats" not to be so arrogant, judgmental, and rude but I doubt they can change their nature. This entire hoopla must be a joke. -- Anne, US

Please tell me, what is new in these so-called "revelations?" All the comments made on European "personalities" seem to be, by and large, correct e.g. Merkel, Westerwelle, Seehofer, etc. The whole WikiLeaks thing is an overblown media circus. And in any case, what have we said about the likes of Bush and Cheney? -- Peter, Germany

I believe that WikiLeaks should not release those documents. Extreme care should be exercised when making any piece of information public - this is part of responsible reporting. Yes, it's good to be able to exercise freedom of expression ... but it is better to exercise freedom of expression with care and utmost consideration of the consequences. We want to preserve that freedom and put it to good use for the betterment of our lives. If Wikileaks releases those documents believing that it's exercising its freedom of expression, it is missing something as far as responsible reporting is concerned. Therefore, in my opinion, it's not contributing toward the solution of problems around us. Thank you for inviting the public to give their opinion. -- Malou, The Netherlands

It sounds like some of it is accurate. And, some of it is calculated for the response elicited. I suppose if we really wanted to prevent the information from being leaked, we could. I mean, how hard is it to arrest the WikiLeaks leader? -- Jane, US

In the US we do adhere to our constitutional truth concerning free speech. However, privacy is also something which is of great and equal importance. Recently, many citizens of Germany and elsewhere were concerned about their privacy being invaded by Google. Why is it so different concerning documents which were marked "Top Secret?" WikiLeaks is out of order in this matter, and the media should not fan the flames of disclosing any information its top executives would not want released concerning themselves which could cause further strife and confusion within our global community and harm our already weakened global economy. -- Darrell, US

Quote in article from WikiLeaks regarding Angela Merkel: "The Americans argue that the chancellor views international diplomacy above all from the perspective of how she can profit from it domestically," Err! The Americans, the British, the French, et al, don't? Is that a pink elephant I see floating over my local snowy landscape? -- Alan, Great Britain

The publication of confidential information cannot make the world safer and more peaceful, but more transparent - yes! If the leaks are blocked, society will never have a chance to get rid of dominances like endless political hypocrisy, infantilism and lack of respect by politicians towards the citizens of any country. Political arrogance, the sense of impunity and superiority, the petty grudges and personal bias will continue to keep billions of inhabitants of a planet starving. Due to negligence and incompetence, money rarely reaches the ones in need, but is used as a buffer against the opposing politicians, very much like in a childish pillow fight. This fight, with blows below the belt and bluffing as the main manner of maneuver, once again proves that the world to this day remains a major battleground dominated by the belief that a country can only win at the expense of another, that we are all opponents. Hopefully someday a leak will be able to dig a hole large enough to destroy hypocrisy, for it is hardly the pillar that makes the world more peaceful and more secure. I doubt it. -- Petkova, Bulgaria

WikiLeaks has done a service to humanity. The only way for people to develop truly is to know what leaders do as their representatives. But these leaders keep people in the dark so that they might remain unknowing about important issues that affect their understanding, their beliefs and their lives. Why should it continue to be so important to keep people blind to the truth? -- Nina, Canada

Compiled by Stuart Tiffen
Editor: Nancy Isenson