246Why I have nominated Wikileaks for the Nobel Peace Prize
It is always easier to support freedom of speech when the one who speaks agree with you politically. This is one of the “tests” on liberal and democratic values that governments tend to fail. For instance, western governments have a long history on tolerating oppressive regimes that are “friendly-minded”. Internet companies assist China in censoring search engines. And many countries respond to Wikileaks‘ obvious right to publish material that is of public interest, by seeking to “shoot the messenger”.
Publishing material that is deemed classified by the government is an obvious right that newspapers and media have practiced for many, many decades. This way, the public has become aware of abuses of power that governments should be held accountable for. The internet doesn’t change this – it merely makes information more accessible, easier to distribute, and more democratic in the sense that virtually anyone with an internet connection can contribute.
Nevertheless, many seek to redraw the map of information freedom with the emergence of institutions like Wikileaks. Political powers and institutions that ordinarily protect freedom of speech suddenly warn against the danger, the threat to security, yes even the “terrorism” that Wikileaks represent. In doing so, they fail in upholding democratic values and human rights. In fact, they contribute to the opposite. It is not, and should never be, the priviledge of politicians to regulate which crimes the public should never be told about, and through which media those crimes become known.
Liu Xiabao was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year for his struggle for human rights, democracy and freedom of speech in China. Likewise: Wikileaks have contributed to the struggle for those very values globally, by exposing (among many other things) corruption, war crimes and torture – some times even conducted by allies of Norway. And most recently: By disclosing the economic arrangements by the presidential family in Tunisia, Wikileaks have made a small contribution to bringing down a 24-year-lasting dictatorship.
It would be a crime to ban or oppose the right to publish such information. It should instead be protected, regardless of what we might think of the contents of some (or even all) of the published material. I am proud to nominate Wikileaks for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Snorre Valen, Member of Parliament / Stortinget
Arnt Jensvoll
February 2nd, 2011
Sjekk ut denne, kanskje du kan hjelpe til å få flere Liker på siden?
Hilsen Arnt Jensvoll
Klaus Malorny
February 2nd, 2011
While I support this, Bradley Manning should not be forgotten. He deserves the Nobel Peace Prize as well. He is detained and treated in a way which many people (including myself) regard as a torture. Without him and other unnamed whistle-blowers, WikiLeaks wouldn’t be there where it is.
Vladisav Popović
February 2nd, 2011
OK!
Demokratiju stvaraju narodi sveta, a ne politički moćnici !
bono-zoffa
February 2nd, 2011
so you nominated a *site* and not the similarly corrupt “founder” of the site? if Nobel decides to award them this award, who then will accept? that crook who lied to people’s faces so he could use their info to get worldwide acclaim for himself?
you should be ashamed of yourself.
Forex Trading
February 2nd, 2011
You really had the courage to nominate Wikileaks to Novel. I think United States would not love this idea.
Maria de Fatima
February 2nd, 2011
Parabens pela indicação.
Muito obrigada
Hartmann
February 2nd, 2011
I applaud and support your move. While Wikileaks complicates diplomacy a little and could improve on protecting the names of the few innocents involved, the bigger good that Wikileaks does is far greater than its negatives.
Someone needs to watch our governments. When left alone some governments do nasty things. Through Wikileaks we have learned about the so many bad things governments do in many countries, we even learned a few good things that our diplomats do.
I hope Wikileaks gets the Prize and that there be many more avenues like Wikileaks to let people learn about the conduct of their governments.
Hartmann
Florida, USA
k.taylor
February 2nd, 2011
Bravo!!!Finally,someone (or thing) that actually deserves to get nominated for the Peace Prize.!
It’s become more than a little tarnished by people like “Bomb’em!” Obama,Henry Kissinger and people whose “dissidence” against a govt that the USA is against (Myammar,China,etc) but never
a repressive govt that the USA supports(such as Mubarak’s Egypt) is the qualification for winning the prize.
Let’s hope that Wikileaks wins.
Henrik Sundström
February 2nd, 2011
Well done, and well-motivated.
Cheers!
Skeptical
February 3rd, 2011
One can defend the right of Wiki Leaks to publish its information while simultaneously criticizing its lack of self discipline which led to the naming of innocent individuals whose lives it put in danger. All of its points about alleged government misconduct could have been made without the inclusion of minor players’ names.
YY from China, has lived in Oslo for 5 yr
February 3rd, 2011
Fantastic idea! Admire your courage! Please fight for it!!! However, your blog on Maria Amelie seems naive. She does not stand for other refugee-seekers. A person who has told 1000 lies and now admitted 500 of them is not an honest person. Can’t you see that?
nagy
February 3rd, 2011
I am glad somebody with guts and strong voice as that one of Snorre Valen supports Wikileaks.
Secrets has too long shadows that protects corruption.
Børge / forteller
February 3rd, 2011
Fantastisk! Dette er velfortjent. Enorm kudos, Snorre!
bono-zoffa: What do you mean Assange lied to people to use their info? Wikileaks has not tried to get information themselves, they just publish what they receive from others. And so what if he did lie? All the corruption, war crimes, torture, murder, and so much more that has been revealed is so much worse that you can’t even begin to compare. Do you think all normal journalists should stop lying, as they do, to get hold of important information? Should we just let those with money and power get away with anything they decide to keep secret?
Klaus Malorny: Manning has not been sentence. We do not know if he did what he has been accused of or not. To nominate him would be to say that he is guilty, but we simply do not know that yet. The Guardian said that he’s guilty in their Wikileaks book, and because of that WikiLeaks called the “the slimiest news organization in the UK”.
I agree that if he was the one who did it, he is a hero. But I don’t think it helps him to say that he did it, when we simply do not know.
See this article and my comment below it: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8291578/Bradley-Manning-copied-secret-documents-thanks-to-lack-of-safeguards-book-claims.html
Stephanie
February 3rd, 2011
Thank you.
Sandra Miner
February 3rd, 2011
Thank you so much for standing up for Democracy, and exposing those who speak with a forked tongue, American politicians, who say they believe in democracy, unless it exposes their illegal deeds. You have done a great service to the world, nominating WikiLeaks, Bravo!
Stephen Perrett
February 3rd, 2011
Thank You. Such a positive thing to do!!!
Georgina Cameron
February 3rd, 2011
To Snorre
Greeetings
I think this is a fantastic thing!
By chance at lunch today the tv was on and
we caught this news flash !
and so for us all now to spread the word!
With Thanks and Best Wishes
Georgina
Georgina Cameron
February 3rd, 2011
Georgina Cameron again
I should mention the news flash was ABC 1 NSW Australia
Cheers!
pixartist
February 3rd, 2011
bono-zoffa wikileaks is an organisation, not a site. Your lack of a basic idea what you are talking about correlates to the stupidity of you argument
Dame Makedonski
February 3rd, 2011
Personally I like very much the idea to nominate the organisation WikiLeaks for a Nobel Peace Prize. They have indeed influenced our modern world so significantly in such a short period.
BUT, I think it will make very angry the US diplomacy since they have openly said that what WikiLeaks and Assange did is in a direct conflict of US interests, and the biggest collateral damage of the situation when WikiLeaks will get the Nobel Peace Prize will be the domestic political reputation and credibility of Pres. Obama (as last year laureate of that prize).
P.S. First time about the idea to nominate WikiLeaks for the Nobel Prize I heard on 10 December 2010 from this report:
Despite being lambasted as “Batman and Robin” respectively, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev have pledged support for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, and have gone as far as to suggest the beleaguered site’s frontman be honored with a Nobel Peace Prize.
Anders
February 3rd, 2011
Bra valg
et spennande valg 
Citizen
February 3rd, 2011
Yes! It’s really good idea!
SilentWaters
February 3rd, 2011
It’s good to know that you recognize that WikiLeaks is an organization composed not just of Julian Assange (though he plays a very crucial role) but also of other people. It is not a solo effort. WikiLeaks’ effort is a team effort and the rest of the team should also be recognized for their contributions.
Niiki
February 3rd, 2011
USEFUL IDIOT!!!!
e-lena
February 3rd, 2011
@bonno-zoffa: could you please specify what you mean by the “crook who lied to people’s faces so he could use their info to get worldwide acclaim for himself”?
This sentence does not make ANY sence to me:
1: by “acclaim” do you mean the interpol warrant? arrest? ongoing investigation? death threats from presidential candidates of USA? worldwide dirty name washing? beeing under arrest because one swedish prosecuter wants to speak with you and is unable to use a phone?
2: “crook who lied to people’s faces” … what lies do you mean????
SRN
February 3rd, 2011
I could not agree more.
e-lena
February 3rd, 2011
Of course, Wikileaks is not only Julian Assange, but he is the face of this organisation. His nomination is an important and brave step.
One step against the ongoing criminalization of Wikileaks.
Power abuse and multiple breach of human rights in Assange’s case are investigated and documented for example here:
http://research.crowdleaks.org/stockholm-cables-the-end-of-neutrality/
http://wlcentral.org/node/1015
http://radsoft.net/news/20110112,00.shtml
http://www.fsilaw.com/~/media/Files/Assange%20Skeleton%20Argument%2011_01_2011.ashx
I also applaud and support your move.
We need more politicians like you!!!!!!!!
Paulo Gileno Cysneiros
February 3rd, 2011
My congratulations for your political action, very important for the transparency of information worldwide
pgf
February 3rd, 2011
Much thanks. Well done.
FreepinkPanther
February 3rd, 2011
the only ones who do not support Wikileaks and other organizations of the same type, are those who have something to hide, or shall we call it ‘classefied’ info. Of course the USA would be against Wikileaks… the murdering of the unarmed Iraqui Reuters reporters, the other civilians and the badly wounding of the 2 children in the van, shows how much the USA respects human rights, specially when the son-of-a-bitch pilot remarkes ‘ it serves them wright, bringing their children to war ”… the driver stopped to help injured civillians, just like people did in the USA, when the Twin Towers were attacked. The attack on the Twin Towers gave the USA, the perfect excuse to attack Iraq, Afghanistan and who elses they attack next. The invasion of Iraq had nothing to do with getting ready of a dictator and helping the people of Iraq. It was and still is, to get their hands on the OIL… same goes for Afghanistan and a few other ” helping hand by the US”.
Let them prove me and 10000′s like me, by taking the pilots of the Apache helicopters, to a Court outside the USA, to be charged with crimes against humanity, MURDER for short.
Nazis were charged and sentenced for their crimes.
Mussulini was hanged by the Italian people.
the USA pilots, which without a doubt, murdered those people, are enjoying their lifes and freedom, with the knowlegde they will never be charged for their crimes… HOW DEMOCRATIC IS THAT????
mainly because USA allies are to cowaerd to call for justice for the victimes of this unscrupelous crime.
Just in case you woundering… I hate terroristes as much as anyone, for the simple fact that they attack those that can not defend themselfes. I have no religion or any god ideolegies… one thing I do have is the moral obligation to call for the trial of MURDERS… these pilots are not soldiers, has a matter of fact, they degrade the word soldier, in a manner worse than the Nazi’s.
ata videl
February 3rd, 2011
With the “media” momopolized into lethargic & irrlevant mouthpieces, the whistle blowers are truly the last bastion of democracy. You have my immense gratitude, and unconditional support, in nominating Wikileaks. Wikileaks will survive the blatant smear campaign aginst Julian Assange and emerge stronger.
Freepinkpanther
February 3rd, 2011
TO BONNA_ZOFIA
WHAT SKELETONS ARE IN YOUR CLOSET???
WOULD YOU SAY KILLING UNARMED CIVILIANS AND CHILDREN IS OK ???
HOPE YOUR LOVED ONES GET THE SAME AMOUNT HAS DID THOSE CIVILIANS AND CHILDREN BUT BUT YOU MUST SURVIVE SUCH A TRAGEDY SO WE CAN ” HEAR YOUR SONG THEN”
YOUR ARE AN EXCUSE OF A HUMAN
Matthew Tangen
February 3rd, 2011
Knallbra!
Jeg kunne ikke vært mer enig og jeg er stolt av den Norske politikeren som har hatt motet til å nominere.
Det har vært rystende å følge med på hvordan alt for mange politikere har reagert med avsky overfor Wikileaks. Jeg tror virkelig at filosofien og arbeidet til Wikileaks kan være en den budbringeren fok trenger dersom de virkelig vil ha slutt på kriger, men det fører også med seg en utfordring; Når vi får høre sannheten, hva vil vi gjøre med den?
Kalle
February 3rd, 2011
Realy bad motivation. Right now wikileaks is just a political organisation. They release information based on political decisions not based on information should be free.
Иван
February 3rd, 2011
Вот это будет охуенно! Запасаемся поп-корном;)
Tora Joensen
February 3rd, 2011
Det er en bra valgt nominasjon!
This is a good choice!
Gayle
February 3rd, 2011
I am a great supporter of freedom, peace and struggle for true democracy. However in this case wikileaks through their actions put hundreds, maybe thousands of people in danger plus the founder is alledged to have commited atrocious acts against women.
Bard
February 3rd, 2011
I think it would be more appropriate for Manning to be nominated, but wikileaks will do.
We all need to accept that there’s going to be comments from people who just do not get it, or are here to ensure dissemination of disinformation on behalf of corrupt governments – like those parroting the absurd claims that wikileaks has put people in danger – but it’s best we just treat those comments with the disdain they deserve and ignore them, rather than give them credence by debating them.
abby
February 3rd, 2011
Thank you for nominating WikiLeaks. I thought that the organization (maybe not necessarily the founder, but oh well . . .) deserved the prize, but I didn’t think that it would seriously get nominated.
Wesley Souza Brandão
February 3rd, 2011
Thanks for your indication, Wesley Souza Brandão from Brazil stay happy with it.
Strangely Perfect
February 3rd, 2011
Excellent proposal.
Freedom has many guises as do the forces that exist to suppress it. In the last decade, it’s only Wikileaks that has consistently been the vehicle for exposing corrupt individuals, organisations and governments for what they are.
How else would we know that US troops in a helicopter would be so hyped up that the machine-cannoning of unarmed innocents on the ground would be seen as a turkey shoot by them?
How else?
Without Wikileaks we’d still think that every action done in our name was for the good and not some computer game played out for real by the participants.
Petruse Valeria Ileana
February 3rd, 2011
I hope he will win and I congratulate you for this proposal.
Best regards,
Valeria
Gerd Måkevoll
February 3rd, 2011
Well played Mr. S. Valen.
You speak of your case in a very exiting way.
Mark Lorier
February 3rd, 2011
Yours is an excellent nomination which has, quite obviously, been thought through carefully. As you have aptly illustrated, Julian Assange and his Wikileaks colleagues are messengers who fearlessly carry out the most noble purpose of the Press — to inform the citizenry without censorship. The #1 California blog supports your nomination of Wikileaks for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Andrew
February 3rd, 2011
Hi, I think you are an idiot for this recommendation. Assange is merely releasing information on behalf of the US Government.
You are a sheep.
Sven
February 3rd, 2011
I’ve waited and hoped for this nomination, thanks!
Don’t forget the leakers, however. Because without leaked information Wikileaks is not much more than a tool without material to work with. The leakers deserves a lot of credit!
Thanks again.
Rob Kent (Canada)
February 3rd, 2011
or to quote Voltaire “I disagree with what you say… but I will defend to the death your right to say it”. Couldn’t agree more
jemi
February 3rd, 2011
Get more stories http://rajusarkar.com/
sallysense
February 3rd, 2011
thank you so much for realizing and recognizing the value of truth in today’s world by nominating wikileaks for the nobel peace prize!…
(am an american who has shared the following on some u.s. sites… and would also like to share it here too… thank you)…
(for wikileaks and the u.s.a.!)…
in a land where a country’s high leaders lay claim…
united states people stand feeling close pain…
their ears hear those big shots come up with excuses…
but a quick look around soon reveals where the truth is!…
from vacant lot store fronts to more soldiers’ graves…
home planted sale signs hide mailbox names!…
college loan paybacks tack federal debt…
while industrial workers learn of layoffs they’ll get!…
from stress-filled environments to lone chilly rooms…
paycheck to paycheck can’t face future doom!…
already our seniors and jobless and ill…
view less options left with so few dollar bills!…
this is our country folks!… see for yourselves!…
the majority are us and most everyone else!…
struggling with hardships under all those in charge!…
as governmental misbehavior runs rampant at large!…
why is it our leaders dislike these truths shown?…
is it not we the people who deserve rights to know?!…
when did government’s first duty become serving the government?!…
and not justly the people for whom they were sent!…
how can leaders say ‘patriot’ means being patriotic to them?…
when they won’t play by the rules a constitution defends!…
instead it is them who lack the patriotism…
to stop their own underhand tactics which bring further bad things!…
and how can leaders use terrorism as an overall reason?…
to keep their own bully methods hidden somewhere in secret?!…
they intimidate unfairly to sway public opinion…
and steer clear of truth needed to fix dilemmas we’re in!…
this is our country folks!… see for yourselves!…
the majority are us and most everyone else!…
struggling with hardships under all those in charge!…
as governmental misbehavior runs rampant at large!…
how can government’s deception be the best way to rule?…
when that curve of its wrist bends most fair and square tools!…
hence without accountability it’ll feed a free-for-all!…
as our country’s representatives wheel and deal above the law!…
it’s no surprise that the government abhors wikileaks!…
truth might hinder officials from doing as they please!…
and make it more difficult to reassure u.s. citizens…
not to fret government’s business and leave it all up to them!…
but we must tend to our nation and future well-being!…
to end unjust procedures and the policies we’re seeing!…
they insist we believe in things proven untrue!…
now we need these disclosures to help build anew!…
this is our country folks!… see for yourselves!…
the majority are us and most everyone else!…
struggling with hardships under all those in charge!…
as governmental misbehavior runs rampant at large!…
again… thank you so much for realizing and recognizing the value of truth in today’s world by nominating wikileaks for the nobel peace prize!…
the best of wishes’n'ways’n'todays for fair’n'square and the truth and caring and more!…
David Myers
February 3rd, 2011
Absolutely! Your reasoning is superb and your proposal is exactly right.
sallysense
February 3rd, 2011
thank you so much for realizing and recognizing the value of truth in today’s world by nominating wikileaks for the nobel peace prize!…
the best of wishes’n'ways’n'todays!…
jh
February 3rd, 2011
Nominate Bradley Manning!
David
February 3rd, 2011
Great! Thank you.
Karla
February 3rd, 2011
Muchas gracias por esta nominación, completamente oportuna y bienvenida.
muhammed atta
February 3rd, 2011
A cum shooting rapist who is also a theif, and by his own admission, is incapable of writing anything, who now pockets 100,000 Euros a day from wacky leftist donors. This is our ICON of peace? I had more respect for Norweigens when they wore those cute hats with the horns.
dan jones
February 3rd, 2011
i wish we had more MPs like yourself here in Canada….
Lejamhoney
February 3rd, 2011
I agree completely! I’m a Canadian, and I think there are plenty of things that our gov’t (among others) would rather not be revealed. Kudos to WL for showing what’s really going on.
L.A. Smith (San Diego, CA, USA)
February 3rd, 2011
Thank you!
Robbie
February 3rd, 2011
Dear Snorre Valen – is it possible for you to set up an online poll, where we can all vote for this? I’d really like to see wikileaks get more than just a Nobel NOMINATION.
Excellent work, and good idea.
Renier
February 3rd, 2011
ata vide! – agree with you comments about the media. Personally I think that most of the so called democratic institutions in the western world is being monopolized by an elite. The way wikileaks have been able to project such a high profile using technology proves to me that the time for direct participation in government by the people should also be a possibility. We no longer have to hand blank checques to politicians who’s rise in political parties are not controlled by the people but other powerfull interests
david
February 3rd, 2011
Thank you
esther
February 3rd, 2011
good things
bri
February 3rd, 2011
thank you!!!
Shams
February 3rd, 2011
the only ones who do not support Wikileaks and other organizations of the same type, are those who have something to hide, or shall we call it ‘classefied’ info. Of course the USA would be against Wikileaks… the murdering of the unarmed Iraqui Reuters reporters, the other civilians and the badly wounding of the 2 children in the van, shows how much the USA respects human rights, specially when the son-of-a-bitch pilot remarkes ‘ it serves them wright, bringing their children to war ”… the driver stopped to help injured civillians, just like people did in the USA, when the Twin Towers were attacked. The attack on the Twin Towers gave the USA, the perfect excuse to attack Iraq, Afghanistan and who elses they attack next. The invasion of Iraq had nothing to do with getting ready of a dictator and helping the people of Iraq. It was and still is, to get their hands on the OIL… same goes for Afghanistan and a few other ” helping hand by the US”.
Let them prove me and 10000’s like me, by taking the pilots of the Apache helicopters, to a Court outside the USA, to be charged with crimes against humanity, MURDER for short.
Eoin Garland
February 3rd, 2011
Takk skal du ha eller denne Norge…….you are leading the world. Governments have been tested and found wanting when their opinions of freedom and free speech are put under scrutiny by the truth.
NotSure Alec
February 4th, 2011
Nominate Bradley Manning! Without him and the other whistle-blowers, WikiLeaks wouldn’t be there where it is.
e-lena
February 4th, 2011
@Kalle, who wrote: “They release information based on political decisions not based on information should be free.”
Wikileaks has SEVERAL GOOD reasons for publishing as they do at the moment:
1. Release of the whole Cable-Gate-Archve would lead people like you outcry “Oh, they released everything and didn’t delete the names of innocent people! Crime at them!”. Question: how do innocent civil people get to be mentioned in a Cable?
2. Wikileaks is a small and young organisation. They simply don’t have enough man-power
3. Wikileaks is under heavy cyber attack (and no government/police departmens/journalists care/speak of the cyber attacks they suffer)
4. Wikileaks is under some sectret ongoing US-inverstigation, which already pronounced its aim, proving its prejudice: enprisonment, Espionage,Guilty,to be kept in somewhere far from public like Bradley Manning.
Your proclamation of certain “political decisions” is only suggestion, which first would need some evidence.
Alex
February 4th, 2011
I would vote for them if I could.
Laura Watkins
February 4th, 2011
Snorre Valen, thank you for nominating WikiLeaks for the Nobel Prize! This is wonderful news. They risk their lives every day to advance freedom, human rights and social justice. It will also shut up the CIA goons who try to make Julian Assange look like the Hosni Mubarak of WikiLeaks. They would not be such a great team if he were a glory hog or a tyrant . I have worked with visionary activists like him. They are opinionated and sometimes prickly but are genuinely caring people of great integrity.
I am also a fierce supporter of Bradley Manning. I hope Bradley might be able to join WikiLeaks if he is released. He is a brilliant, compassionate young man. I think he would be very happy doing such work, among his own kind of people. Downloading and passing on government files that show hard evidence of war crimes is seen as worse than being an war criminal in the U.S. It is worse than lying to the American people, covering up the murders of tens of thousands of defenseless men, women and children, financially backing dictators and stealing trillions of dollars from the taxpayers…and that is a partial list. If Bradley is a dangerous criminal, we will eat our laptops. We are outraged by his brutal mistreatment.
The heinous crimes our psychopathic officials, professionals and inbred “master race” have committed would fill volumes. The Franklin Scandal is one example that is so shocking and horrific it will make decent Americans ashamed that they ever trusted their elected officials. (Bush, Jr and Sr. are closely tied to the adoption industry.) Here is a link to an almost-completed documentary by a Yorkshire film production company. It was scheduled for broadcast on the Discovery Channel but suddenly cancelled. A new one is being made. This is a small portion of the U.S. Government’s crimes against humanity. Activists are certain these crimes are still occurring. I was a child welfare activist in Washington, DC, for 20 years and know it is true.
http://www.archive.org/details/ConspiracyOfSilence1994-LongVersion-TheFranklinScandal-2010
http://www.franklinscandal.com/
When these criminals are exposed, American journalists who called us “conspiracy theorists” will feel worse than foolish. They were taken in by psyops agents or agents themselves. Others are right – I see the disinformation creeps here and elsewhere spreading sleaze about Julian Assange. They like to trash Julian by diagnosing him with mental disorders. They are not hard to spot once you learn their signatures. They are sweating bullets now. Their bosses are desperate because any day their worst crimes could be revealed by WikiLeaks or another news organization. This is one reason they had former CIA chief Bill Colby assassinated. He was also helping Nebraska Sen. John DeCamp with the Franklin case.
The truth is outing and courageous citizens around the world are standing up for freedom and human rights. The ruling classes will lose money without dictators and police states to control us commoners. They can only live in obscene wealth by sucking the life out of good people. The wimps would perish quickly if forced to survive on their own. I would let them self-terminate if they wished, and help them out. I’m an RN. You can see that I am not a completely cold, heartless bitch. Those who tortured and murdered children might be useful to study the brains of psychopaths.
Thank you again for nominating WikiLeaks. American activists are very excited. WikiLeaks, you have helped the world in so many ways simply by restoring hope to people on the verge of despair. We love you for fighting the good fight!
K lar
February 4th, 2011
Hello to all….how about an “INTEGRITY AWARAD” for Manning…..that will comply to American ego phobia, the one world concept, an award for the current pathetic media to become authentic ,/ an award to strive and a brake to the notorious breed of existing politicians and the ones they are nurturing.
Snoree is so true, needs to be lauded and so does WIKILEAKS as an organisation & its representative JULIAN ASSANGE to deliver with all limitations…….let’s just cut all other crap and not get on to discussing all other undeserving nobelists of the past…….Wikileaks/Julian is better if compared to worst among the predessors.
Desider
February 4th, 2011
While Wikileaks has responsibly used media organizations to vet information, by having separate papers to review and publish, it’s broken the stranglehold governments have on individual papers.
The US government will send in CIA, FBI and others to tell NYTimes what’s okay to publish, and typically the NY Times will comply and spin the story as the government wishes. This is not journalism. Wikileaks has broken open the embargo on knowledge, without just posting blindly to the Web – that’s a very good thing.
While I appreciate what Manning did, Wikileaks has been doing what it’s doing far longer than Manning’s involvement. While some people criticize Assange, his main “crime” seems to be coming across a bit snooty. Wow. Sorry, Nelson Mandela and Oprah Winfrey weren’t available, but I think Assange has done a bang-up job.
Daniel Monte
February 4th, 2011
Hello,
A few weeks ago we started a movement to collect supporters in http://www.causes.com via Facebook in order to nominate Julian Assange for the “Principe de Asturias” Prize on Communication and Humanities. These prizes are some sort of small, local, modern version of the Nobel ones. Our reasons for this seem to be quite similar to those of you. Therefore we would be grateful if you could help us spread this cause. Furthermore, as our attempt to nominate Julian Assange was rejected because we are not an organization, just a bunch of citizens, any hint or help in how to proceed here would be rather welcome.
Please note that when i refer to us, I mean exactly that: a bunch of citizens worried with the ongoing manhunt targetting the messenger (J:A). We do not have any other link. We chose J.A as the visible and most known head of Wikileaks but still have the feeling that the prize if for all the Wikileaks organization.
http://www.causes.com/causes/560249
Sincerely,
Daniel Monte, Spain
rock
February 4th, 2011
warmongering bastards know this..we see what you do.
you will be accountable
Gisele Theriault, Canada
February 5th, 2011
I think it’s a brilliant nomination. I hope they win.
Traffa
February 5th, 2011
I see the sock puppets trying with all their god given brain cells to discredit Wikileaks while most, including myself, applaud what they do. What’s their agenda? Who cares!
Nicolás Corzo
February 5th, 2011
Hello, my name is Nicolás Corzo, I am from Argentine (in some misterious place of the earth), and I have Created a Facebook page called Nobel Peace Prize For WikiLeaks to support this cause
Jesse Douglas
February 5th, 2011
I’m all for transparency and all, but where are the revelations about China? or Russia? Or Iran? Or Sweden? Something smells bad when it’s only directed at America.
Mag
February 5th, 2011
I agree with the guy above, that Manning should be remembered as he is the one now sitting in prison, a future Julian might share if all goes wrong. The Nobel Prize Committee will not have the balls to go against the US and the Obama administration gang of thugs, nominating Julian Assange and Wikileaks for the Nobel Prize, as this will create a major political storm. It is easy enough to nominate someone belonging to an “Western agreed” oppressor country. But to go against another Western country and a superpower at that, will need more than just goodwill and prayers from our side. My hat to Snorre Valen for having the courage to speak out. If more people with power and brains did this, the world would be a great place. But unfortunately, power and corruption goes together with lack of grey matter inside the thick skull of politicians, specially in the US.
Joelle Deloison
February 5th, 2011
I hope Wikileaks shares the prize with private Bradley Manning. They both are sharing the price.
AJY
February 5th, 2011
WikiLeaks as an organisation is doing a brilliant thing for the world by keeping governments open and keeping them accountable for their actions when nobody else will. The few, the proud, the WikiLeaks!
I am all for this nomination. Good work.
Christoffer
February 6th, 2011
Well spoken,
Thyme Graham Perrett
February 6th, 2011
I would love to see Wikileaks get the Nobel Peace Prize, I think they have done the world a great service.
A democracy can only function when those in power are held to account by the people and this is only meaningful when the people know what is really going on.
Wars can no longer be sustained when the people are informed of the truth.
In this day and age there is no justification for those in power to be keeping so many important secrets from us.
Young
February 6th, 2011
Please look at this page.
Sweden is asking for help for a petition.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/631/petition-to-free-julian-assange/
kiran
February 6th, 2011
WIKILEAKS founder deserves the honorable and prestigious award he just amazed the world ………………………………………
Tom Hagler
February 6th, 2011
Hello,
We’d like to interview you about this for BBC World Service radio – please email me if you have time to speak today. Thanks Tom
Angela Csoares
February 6th, 2011
Thank you for taking position for transparency as source of peace, and proposing wikileaks for Peace Nobel, but isn’t to early ? could we wait a bit before giving wikileaks the prize ? Wikileaks is an organisation in the person of Assange . Being in nomination is already very honourable.
I think a Nobel for peace should be given to a person or organisation that has a long past of peace acts, involving years of work with human being and earth equilibrium . What mr Assange did is what a journalist should do. He deserves a prize, yes , because he reveals the “under news” , the intrigues, the lies . For a better world . And in person himself. But being candidate to peace is another thing …
Transparency, the seed of peace has been planted, let it become at least a young tree before giving the moral weight or responsibility of a peace prize .
Giving Peace Nobel Prize to mr Obama has been premature , I guess , for example ….
Hurm
February 7th, 2011
Sorry but I’m not buying this Assange’s guy act. While his bank account keeps getting fatter and fatter and his lawyer and court fees are being taken care of by an anonymous mass of supporters, the young GI that actually took the initiative of releasing the diplomatic cables is rotting away at some federal prison (or worse) and no one’s moving one single finger to help him. This sword and cape crusader might have a lot of people bewitched but to me he completely took advantage of Bradley Manning and completely disregarded any effects that the release of the documents might have on his life. Unfortunately there’s always someone that has to take the fall and that kid was it. If we didn’t live in a hypocritical world he’d be the one getting this prize and it might actually help him get the attention he deserves but no, it’s all a political act and you probably just want to look like a rebellious freedom fighter in the halls of parliament for the cameras and then brush it off and go eat side by side with the same guys that want to put a lid on what really goes on with the world while the taxpayers pay all of your bills. That’s representative democracy for you, nothing but a rigged game, a puppet show.
Kathy McIntosh
February 8th, 2011
i am a citizen of the united states of america and considered liberal by many people who i know, and my views generally put me in that category. however, in the case of the stolen classified information printed, i am not in total agreement. if, in fact, julian assange and wikileaks had nothing to do with helping in this theft, then wikileaks may indeed deserve credit for bringing some facts to light. however, if he and others at wikileaks encouraged and assisted these thefts, then awards are not indicated.
theft is theft. stealing classified information of any kind, however “good” the intentions, is still stealing. this is a fact. a good journalist could use unusable information as a lead to find “clean” information which would support any story of corruption or crime. this is how journalism sometimes works. but to simply print unadulterated classified information can ruin the lives of innocent individuals when not actually addressing those who may be corrupt.
seb
February 8th, 2011
Nobel may be anti US, but Wikileaks just exposes truth about any and every government, and makes it publicly accessible to billions of us. Good work Jules, for that. But is peace number 1 on the agenda? If not, give the peace prize to someone else.
Anurag Prasad Papolu
February 8th, 2011
Can’t think of a better way to justify the nomination. Rightly said.
K
February 9th, 2011
I am mostly disappointed that despite the fact Wikileaks is being nominated, bunch of the media consider it as nomination Julian Assange. Whilst Julian’s efforts were invaluable, clearly ignoring work of hundreds of volunteers is just plain wrong. Hopefully people will realise that the whole organization, not just Assange was nominated.
Ludek Zahrad
February 10th, 2011
Good, but in Zimbabwe the leaks are used by Mugabe’s cronies and himself against the democratic opposition. President of the opposing party MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai, prime minister in the so called inclusive government, was accused of treason because the Wikileaks revealed that he consulted his intentions with foreigners. Same goes for the Secretary General in his party, Mr. Tendai Biti, the one who, as minister of finance, stopped the astronomic inflation and turned the economic decay into growth. He has been accused of requesting the EU and US to impose “sanctions” on Zimbabwe by conveying some information to foreign diplomats.
So it is very naive to consider Wikileaks something positive. Diplomacy, especially when dealing with rogue regimes, cannot go public, consequences may be disastrous.
Ludek Zahrad
February 10th, 2011
Good, but in Zimbabwe the leaks are used by Mugabe’s cronies and himself against the democratic opposition. President of the opposing party MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai, prime minister in the so called inclusive government, was accused of treason because the Wikileaks revealed that he consulted his intentions with foreigners. Same goes for the Secretary General in his party, Mr. Tendai Biti, the one who, as minister of finance, stopped the astronomic inflation and turned the economic decay into growth. He has been accused of requesting the EU and US to impose “sanctions” on Zimbabwe by conveying some information to foreign diplomats.
So it is very naive to consider Wikileaks something positive. Diplomacy, especially when dealing with rogue regimes, cannot go public, consequences may be disastrous.
You're still an idiot.
February 12th, 2011
Promote peace? You’re an idiot.
Nicolás Corzo
February 16th, 2011
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nobel-Peace-Prize-For-WikiLeaks/178966458812007
Anisur Rahman
February 17th, 2011
WikiLeaks for the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize
The spirituality of freedom of expression
Anisur Rahman in Oslo
Norwegian lawmaker from Socialist Left Party, Snorre Valen, 26, has recently nominated Wikileaks for he 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. After casting his vote, he wrote on his online blog that WikiLeaks has exposed corruption, war crimes and torture around the world.
WikiLeaks is a website that anonymously publishes documents, such as US war logs from Iraq and Afghanistan. Supporters say it promotes transparency and democracy; critics say it threatens global security. It has also made some disclosure about Bangladesh’s political turmoil’s during the 2007-2008 military controlled caretaker administration, US influence to strengthen controversial Rapid Action Battalion—RAB’s empowerment in the form of Federal Bureau of Intelligence and UK’s training support to RAB.
After the nomination the debate has been intensified in Oslo and elsewhere in the world whether Wikileaks should get the Nobel Prize for Peace or not. In this regard the lawmaker said, ‘The website’s disclosures of classified documents promote world peace.’
In this regard, I would like to say all in favour of democracy and modern values must support the Wikileaks activities. The countries that advocate for democracy and freedom of expressions need to offer the organisation to continue its work.
Reactions to the Wikileaks’ disclosers of diplomatic reports – is alarming in the United States and elsewhere. In the US and in the West, the talk is taking place to file cases aiming at making it possible to impose imprisonment for those responsible for Wikileaks activities. It seems it is the doctor’s fault to diagnose disease in a patient. Wikileaks truly diagnosed diverse corruptions and the worse what were taking place in the name of diplomacy, politics and militarization in different countries. Wikileaks deserve recognition and defence for survival. I defend Wikileaks so I do for Dawit Isaak, Arundhati Roy, Maqbool Fida Hussain, Liu Xiabao, Lars Viks and many more on the same cause.
Freedom of expression or free flow of information does not mean only politicians or diplomats or military officers to choose which facts to be communicated to the public or not. If it is so, what the meaning of journalism or particularly investigative reporting is. That is the functional democracy where citizens ultimately enjoy the control over the elected leaders. It requires public access to knowledge about what leaders do and what the consequences are. It is a double morality when some countries talk for freedom of expression, the need of transparency at the same time they talk against Wikileaks functionality.
If Wikileaks activities are treated as unjust, then the definition of democracy, modernism and freedom of expression must be rephrased. Many constitutions that guarantee the freedom of expression and democracy must be amended. To threat the need of Wikileaks operation means something to invite darkness in life and society. This is not the age darkness, is it?
Echoing the voice of Swedish PEN president Ola Larsmo a question can be raised as such: Does one has any right to criticize the lack of freedom of expression in China or Iran or in Middle East or India, if he does not defend Wikileaks?
In fine, let’s say, Wikileaks deserve recognition, doesn’t it?
—————————————————————————————————————–
Anisur Rahman, a Bengali writer, was a visiting scholar at the Centre for Ibsen Studies, Oslo University and on Dag Hammarskjöld Program at Voksenåsen-Oslo for some weeks during January-February 2011. #
Robert (Australia)
February 25th, 2011
I strongly support the nomination of Wikileaks for the Noble Peace Prize. It takes incredible courage and selflessness to fulfil their chosen mission to facilitate the exposure of corrupt and totally unacceptable behaviour of the world’s most powerful organisations , which until now have been able to perform without scrutiny, dark acts against humanity- often in the name of their electors and in the supposed pursuit of democratic processes.
I hope that Wikileaks survives long into the future and that its great and significant contribution to world peace and better international relationships will be recognized, although the approach to achieving this by-product is rather unorthodox – but yet most effective. We have entered the era when the internet is going to help people to remove and control corrupt / dictatorial .. political, governmental, and economic organisations by allowing whistleblowers to expose wicked behaviour of powerful people.
James
March 1st, 2011
Thank you for nominating WikiLeaks for a Nobel Peace Prize!!! I agree with your sentiments and applaud your efforts on behalf of Humanity (and humanity+).
Cheers,
James