Whether there exists a right to access information which is supposed to be remain in-confidence is the question to be seriously looked at this juncture.
There are two events, one worldwide through release of US diplomatic communications by WikiLeaks and the second India centric with the release of alleged taped conversation between a power broker/lobbyist and various political, media personalities and industrialists.
On WikiLeaks the US Government as of this date has ‘criticized’ the actions, calling them reckless and endangering lives. Some US politicians have begun to call for some sort of legal actions. Although there is a point in not disclosing diplomatic communications and conversations held in confidence, it is no big deal.
US policy is to automatically declassify such communications after 25 years, unless reasons exists under review. Thus many of the communications would have been available to us, after 25 years.
The fear of WikiLeaks release would be felt more by people who have patently done something illegal like $52 million in suitcase or embarrassing like playing bunga-bunga too hard.
Otherwise urging to put an end to Iran’s Nuke & Missile programmes or confirmation on the origins and intentions of hackers in real time is good and necessary - after all we are in the high speed Internet, WiFi and BlackBerry age.
If those speaking their minds in private have the guts to come out and speak more openly, the world would be a better place.
On Radia-Tapes, Ratan Tata has gone to court to try and stop further publishing of the tapes alleging damage to his and his industrial house’s *fair* name.
WTF? What’s the matter Mr. Ratan Tata? Are you afraid that people might come to the conclusion that you would’ve been better named ‘Rotten’ Tata?
India does not have any policy regarding automatic declassification of any material - whether communications, documents, government papers or intercept material. For Gods’ sake we still haven’t declassified documents relating to 1962 Sino-Indian conflict.
BTP, when a private citizen holding controlling position in one of the largest industrial houses is lobbying for or against prospective cabinet ministers in the government of the day - it is not private anymore.
It is called attempts to influence government policy - a policy in this case. which will directly affect the way other common citizens will communicate and work. I doubt whether the Supreme Court will agree to any such injunction as prayed for. In fact with the present mood of the judges, there should be no surprise, if they ask for full public disclosure. That would put a crimp on the style of the brokers, pimps and their customers.
:-E
Contrast this :
In the WikiLeaks case if only people harking in private (like Saudi King) speak out (like about the useless Paki), the world would be a better place, isn’t it?
In the Radia-Tapes case if only people conspiring in private (like about next telecom minister) try to say that in public, or debate their points in parliament, India would be more transparent and a better place, isn’t it?
Here is an approximate count of number of intercepts with WikiLeaks (as of this writing).
3038 from New Delhi - wonder what is in them?
For the record, I do not ask, request, endorse, demand or encourage release of any information of any nature covered by the Official Secrets Act, in public domain by anyone who is not authorised to do so by competent authority. I raise it only as a debating point.
There, my Arse is Covered.
0:-D
There are two events, one worldwide through release of US diplomatic communications by WikiLeaks and the second India centric with the release of alleged taped conversation between a power broker/lobbyist and various political, media personalities and industrialists.
On WikiLeaks the US Government as of this date has ‘criticized’ the actions, calling them reckless and endangering lives. Some US politicians have begun to call for some sort of legal actions. Although there is a point in not disclosing diplomatic communications and conversations held in confidence, it is no big deal.
US policy is to automatically declassify such communications after 25 years, unless reasons exists under review. Thus many of the communications would have been available to us, after 25 years.
The fear of WikiLeaks release would be felt more by people who have patently done something illegal like $52 million in suitcase or embarrassing like playing bunga-bunga too hard.
Otherwise urging to put an end to Iran’s Nuke & Missile programmes or confirmation on the origins and intentions of hackers in real time is good and necessary - after all we are in the high speed Internet, WiFi and BlackBerry age.
If those speaking their minds in private have the guts to come out and speak more openly, the world would be a better place.
On Radia-Tapes, Ratan Tata has gone to court to try and stop further publishing of the tapes alleging damage to his and his industrial house’s *fair* name.
WTF? What’s the matter Mr. Ratan Tata? Are you afraid that people might come to the conclusion that you would’ve been better named ‘Rotten’ Tata?
India does not have any policy regarding automatic declassification of any material - whether communications, documents, government papers or intercept material. For Gods’ sake we still haven’t declassified documents relating to 1962 Sino-Indian conflict.
BTP, when a private citizen holding controlling position in one of the largest industrial houses is lobbying for or against prospective cabinet ministers in the government of the day - it is not private anymore.
It is called attempts to influence government policy - a policy in this case. which will directly affect the way other common citizens will communicate and work. I doubt whether the Supreme Court will agree to any such injunction as prayed for. In fact with the present mood of the judges, there should be no surprise, if they ask for full public disclosure. That would put a crimp on the style of the brokers, pimps and their customers.
:-E
Contrast this :
In the WikiLeaks case if only people harking in private (like Saudi King) speak out (like about the useless Paki), the world would be a better place, isn’t it?
In the Radia-Tapes case if only people conspiring in private (like about next telecom minister) try to say that in public, or debate their points in parliament, India would be more transparent and a better place, isn’t it?
Here is an approximate count of number of intercepts with WikiLeaks (as of this writing).
3038 from New Delhi - wonder what is in them?
For the record, I do not ask, request, endorse, demand or encourage release of any information of any nature covered by the Official Secrets Act, in public domain by anyone who is not authorised to do so by competent authority. I raise it only as a debating point.
There, my Arse is Covered.
0:-D
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