Definition: WikiLeaks

A website that accepts classified, censored and restricted material containing ethical, diplomatic or political significance. Founded by Julian Assange, the site is designed to be uncensorable and untraceable because submissions are routed through Sweden and Belgium, which have laws that protect journalist sources. The first documents were published on WikiLeaks at the end of 2006.

Very Controversial
Documents and videos have been published on WikiLeaks that include sensitive military information, political cover-ups, tax evasion, suppression of free speech and spying. Some have caused enormous controversy, while others have effected changes such as the outcome of an election. Assange, who keeps an extremely low profile, has been hailed as both hero and villain.

WikiLeaks garnered major, international attention in the summer of 2010 when it published thousands of U.S. military documents relating to the war in Afghanistan. It enabled the public to learn realities of the war as well as divulged U.S. strategy.