Wiki Leaks and its Impact on Diplomatic Reporting - Essay Example

Wiki Leaks and its Impact on Diplomatic Reporting Inserts His/Her Inserts Grade Inserts (03, December, 2011) Introduction There are certain events that have a profound effect on the whole world. The release of diplomatic cables of United States foreign office is one of those events. It has practically altered international diplomacy and international relations to a great extent. The release of the cables gave the whole world insight on the possible strategies of US vis-à-vis the whole world. Diplomacy has changed forever after the release of diplomatic cables of United States and in this essay we will attempt to highlight the changes the infamous Wiki Leaks has brought to formal diplomatic reporting. Wiki Leaks and its Impact on Diplomatic Reporting The most potent and immediate impact of Wiki Leaks on diplomatic reporting is that diplomats are no longer safe in the countries of their service. The documents were of such magnitude that they gave rise to a worldwide public uproar on the ways United States of America views the world. Many people have been named in the cables and their safety is compromised now, although they are given additional security. But this has changed the way diplomatic reporting used to happen. Many of the sources of diplomats were also named in the cables and these people are also under threat (Shane, 2011). Diplomats rely on sources to get the inside information of different governments, and without these sources diplomatic reporting will become ever more difficult. Foreign countries will also ensure that such security breaches won’t happen again therefore getting information from inside sources will become increasingly difficult for diplomats working in foreign countries. Diplomacy is all about creating ties with any foreign country in such a way that interests of one’s country are secured. The job of a diplomat is to remain discrete and use negotiations to get the work done. Also diplomat has to provide information to his or her home country about the events going on in the foreign country. United States of America is a super power therefore it has the power to ensure that its interests are secured. The leak of the country’s diplomatic cables has now made the jobs of the diplomats even more difficult. The policy USA has, vis-à-vis many countries, is now exposed so diplomats will find it very hard to work with different governments. Now foreign countries will not be willing to trust United States and its policies will not work as before. The information that was leaked was so confidential that the damage done cannot be undone whatsoever. It has also given United States a bad name all over the world. Following the release of diplomatic cables, diplomats are now considering new methods to dispatch information to their home country. They have realized that present system is not secured and it can endanger their life and eventually the interests of their country therefore diplomats are trying to look for newer ways to report information back to their home countries. Some argue that Wiki Leaks fiasco will give rise to a new trend in diplomatic reporting. These new ways can be anything from extremely obvious ways like Fax machines to highly sophisticated communication devices, no one knows for sure. But one thing is clear and that is diplomatic reporting will never be the same and diplomats will not be secure until a full proof system of reporting is provided. It is not safe to use the existing method which has made confidential information public. The use of technology is one of the reasons behind Wiki Leaks. A whistle blower site was able to get people from the inside leak information that would change the course of international relations and diplomacy all over the world. This may lead to increased reliance on physical communication by diplomats. Information will be transmitted through person to person contact so that secrecy can be maintained. Diplomatic channels will become shorter now and many analysts will not have access to secret information (Miller, 2011). This will seriously jeopardize efficient policy making because less people will be interpreting data and objectivity will decrease. Now diplomats will not rely on many people to transmit information to their home countries and even fewer people will have access to it. This will create problems in decision making because right information will not be available to the right person at the right time. This is a serious change in diplomatic reporting as a result of Wiki Leaks. Diplomats will also not be able to use candid tones in their reporting and according to experts right information will not reach United States (Miller, 2011). Diplomatic reporting will not be objective because diplomats will always be careful of what they write. They will also fear that what they are writing might get public and this will affect their opinions. This is probably the most adverse effect of Wiki Leaks on diplomatic reporting. Now diplomats will use careful language and will not name their sources, which will make all their information less credible (Miller, 2011). Wiki Leaks have also increased pressure between USA and other countries. US diplomats will not be given inside information by senior government officials of foreign countries. This will again affect diplomacy as United States of America will not get information and will not be able to enforce its policies. Government officials were also reported in the leaked cables and this made them look bad in front of their country. This is why they will pay heed in talking to diplomats of United States of America. This will affect the whole diplomatic process and will in turn influence diplomatic reporting to a great extent. Governments will also increase their security so that diplomats cannot get information that is secret. There is also an increasing debate on whether or not all information should be given to the people as they have right to all information. If this demand is accepted then the face of international relations and diplomatic reporting will change drastically. Countries will have to develop a clear cut foreign policy and there will be no room for any dual stance. The relationships between countries will also become less complicated, if this demand is accepted, but this idea seems farfetched. Conclusion Wiki Leaks shocked the whole world and changed the world of diplomatic reporting for ever. It made United States look bad and compromised many important sources of diplomats. Now diplomats will be using other methods to transmit information to their home country. They will also be less candid and less objective about their reports. Their sources have been compromised and government officials won’t help them either. This is how Wiki Leaks has impacted diplomatic reporting. Bibliography Miller, Bowman, H. 2011. The Death of Secrecy: Need to Know...with Whom to Share.  Center for the Study of Intelligence, 55(3). Accessed on 03, December, 2011 from Shane, Scott. 2011. Wiki Leaks Prompts New Diplomatic Uproar. The New York Times. Accessed on 03, December, 2011 from Read More