We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks
We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks traces the rise of the controversial whistleblowing organization WikiLeaks and its impact on global politics and media. The film centers on the organization’s founder, Julian Assange, charting his transformation from a skilled hacker to a central figure in the international transparency movement. Through interviews with key figures, including journalists, government officials, and former WikiLeaks collaborators, the it provides insight into the organization’s methods, motivations, and the controversies it generated.
The story begins with WikiLeaks’ emergence as a platform designed to publish classified information and protect anonymous sources. It highlights some of the organization’s most significant disclosures, including the release of U.S. military and diplomatic documents, such as the Collateral Murder video and the Iraq and Afghanistan war logs. These leaks are portrayed as pivotal moments that revealed hidden truths about government operations, igniting debates over national security, privacy, and freedom of information.
Central to the narrative is the relationship between WikiLeaks and Bradley Manning, the U.S. Army intelligence analyst who provided thousands of classified documents to the organization. Manning’s motivations, actions, and eventual arrest are examined in detail, offering a perspective on the ethical and personal dilemmas faced by whistleblowers. The consequences of these leaks, including international outrage and U.S. government responses, are explored alongside their impact on Manning’s life and legacy.
We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks also addresses the broader implications of WikiLeaks’ activities, such as the strain on Assange’s relationships with collaborators and the organization’s legal battles. Assange’s time in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and the allegations against him add layers of complexity to his portrayal as both a champion of transparency and a polarizing figure.
The documentary provides historical and geopolitical context for WikiLeaks’ actions, illustrating how technology and information have reshaped power dynamics between governments, institutions, and individuals. It sheds light on the tensions between transparency and secrecy, as well as the ethical and moral questions raised by the publication of sensitive information in the digital age.