WikiLeaks’ fundamental operating process remains the same as when it began, maintaining online drop-boxes where material can be uploaded anonymously. This is apparently untraceable, encrypted in such a way that even Assange claims he cannot identify the source.

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Next WikiLeaks staff take on traditional journalism tasks to determine the veracity of the material. In the case of Collateral Murder Assange says WikiLeaks sent journalists to Bagdad to track down witnesses before publishing.

They analyse the material’s significance, its worth publishing, potentially edit, add redactions, and write commentaries. Once published they post the source material in its entirety so “readers can check the accuracy of the stories against the raw material”.

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As noted above, in 2010 Assange established partnerships with a number of mainstream media organisations. He says it was necessary to use their resources and expertise to analyse the leaks, which included over one million documents. It also resulted in greater coverage and impact. This model appears to have been settled upon, although the partners have changed, now including publications as diverse as Rolling Stone Magazine and Melbourne’s The Age.

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A lot has been written about the impact of WikiLeaks on journalism. However the evidence below shows that although WikiLeaks has had a significant impact, the fundamental principles of journalism remain unchanged. According to the Society of Professional Journalists (US), “Public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth.” WikiLeaks “scrutinises power”, doing what the news media is suppose to do when adhering to its own Code of Ethics (Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance, 2012).

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The aim and funding model of WikiLeaks is different to most mainstream media organisations. It is a not-for-profit, supposedly politically neutral. WikiLeaks is funded entirely by donations, with no advertising or commercial revenue. There are only five paid staff, the organisation otherwise relying completely on volunteers.

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The traditional mass media is a business, operating on an advertising model, with news content designed to increase revenue. Herman and Chomsky (2002) say this means the mainstream media often act as propagandists for big business and government, ‘state stenographers’ according to John Pilger. Certainly the mainstream press was severely criticised for failing to question the US government during the build up to the 2003 Iraq invasion.

WikiLeaks is highly political. Assange describes it as “the first intelligence agency of the people”, staff referring to themselves as activists. It does not however take up a traditional position on the left or right, rather it is ‘anti-secrecy’. “Our enemies are the enemies of truth,” says Assange.

Publishing is an act of civil disobedience, part of a global war against corporate and government misdeeds. According to Assange the goal is a ‘just’ society based on transparency, accountability and the free flow of information. This is the politics of information, where secrecy is evil and transparency righteous.

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Assange says authoritarian states maintain power through “flows of hidden data”. But these states are “brittle, at risk of collapse once people are shown the true nature of things”. WikiLeaks says it degrades authoritarian government’s ability to conspire, believing information will lead to “outrage and political action”. This has positioned WikiLeaks in opposition to governments seen to be authoritarian, including that of the United States. It is a significant step away from the traditional journalism ethic of political impartiality although mainstream media can of course be unashamedly partisan. In any case WikiLeaks publications relate not only to state power; businesses, such as the Julius Baer and Kaupthing banks, have also been exposed.

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WikiLeaks focus all their attention on leaks. Their service provides “a secure and anonymous way for sources to leak information” (WikiLeaks.org, 2012). They are unambiguously a receiver and distributor of leaked information. WikiLeaks stand out because their encryption system apparently makes it impossible for sources to be identified. Of course that also makes it much harder to verify the credibility of the information.

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Journalists have traditionally had a reputation for keeping sources confidential, even when faced with imprisonment. However WikiLeaks can supply a guarantee of anonymity. It is a paradox that the so-called ‘War on Secrecy’ is predicated on secret sources. Assange “initiated a conspiracy to take down an even greater conspiracy”.

Coming under legal scrutiny WikiLeaks have distanced themselves from the suggestion they actively encourage people to give them confidential information, they simply “accept the material, not solicit it” (WikiLeaks.org, 2012).

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By providing source material in full WikiLeaks have also differentiated themselves. Traditional media usually handpick aspects of a leak, report or incident to enable their own interpretation. WikiLeaks tries to provide information in its entirety so the public can form their own conclusions.

In 2010 this approach changed somewhat, when WikiLeaks deemed some material too complex, requiring editing and selective presentation. However all material, excluding sections believed to endanger lives, was eventually put online.

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The internet allows WikiLeaks to operate without a specific geographic location, to transcend national borders and jurisdictions. WikiLeaks staff and volunteers are spread out on laptops in a variety of countries, the leaks provided by and relating to people all over the globe. Information can’t be isolated and controlled as it previously was.

When attempts were made in late 2010 to shut WikiLeaks down ‘mirror sites’ rapidly appeared to continue disseminating the leaks. “We are like the hydra – cut off one head and another pops up,” says Assange.

WikiLeaks demonstrates the power of citizen journalism, that a few committed individuals can become publishers of equal importance to established media institutions. According to some observers citizen journalism is creating a more robust, responsive and interactive media, encouraging greater civic participation and engagement.

Staffed predominantly by non-professional volunteers WikiLeaks is completely dependent on user-generated content. “We made promises that if sources gave us good material we would publish,” said Assange.

However, being so open poses practical problems as WikiLeaks receives approximately ten thousand documents a day, a quantity they’ve been unable to deal with.

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Significant impacts have been felt by the established media. The information revealed in the 2010 leaks were major news stories, reminding the news media of their duty to investigate. “The history of journalism is the history of leaks,” says Assange. “Maybe WikiLeaks will push journalists to do their job better.”

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By prioritising the exposure of state secrets WikiLeaks was able to bring industry competitors into a cooperative relationship, working together to analyse and present information in the public’s interest. WikiLeaks has now established partnerships with some 50 newspapers worldwide, a recalibration of competitor and source relationships.

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But it is the internet driving transformation in the media industry, and WikiLeaks is an example rather than a catalyst. The internet has made possible entirely new kinds of specialist news organisations, threatening the very existence of traditional news media. News is being shared rather than created as the popularity of news aggregators swells. Many newspapers have already shut down.

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But if all journalism is left to citizens, with no-one paid and supported to investigate stories, there is a risk we'll run out of news. Financing for investigative journalism has been disappearing, but someone has to do the initial hard work. If information control is tightened and punishment for whistle-blowers increased, the leaks could dry up.

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This highlights the importance of the traditional media practice of sending journalists out into the world to find stories. One of the jobs of journalism is to make a grubby nuisance of itself by ferreting out the establishments half-truths and embarrassments.

The traditional media also have greater resources and can reach more of the public. Traditional media formats (radio, television, newspapers) are still the most important to those oppressed by authoritarian governments, especially in the developing world, who can’t access new online media technologies.

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Rather than changing the foundations of good journalism, WikiLeaks have built on them. They have recently been self-identifying as a more traditional journalistic institution, to build greater trust and credibility with the public and secure legal protections. “I had always argued WikiLeaks should partner the established media, not replace or shun it,” said Assange.