2011-06-28 WikiLeaks Notes: Latest News on #Cablegate Releases & #WikiLeaks

This is a "WikiLeaks News Update," constantly updated throughout each day. The blog tracks stories that are obviously related to WikiLeaks but also follows stories related to freedom of information, transparency, cybersecurity, freedom of expression. All the times are GMT.

11:25 PM Cable on Prophet Muhammad cartoon controversy offers insight into Malaysia's government-controlled media.

08:55 PM Good news. Julian Assange in conversation with Slavoj Žižek, moderated by Amy Goodman will be live streamed this Saturday, 04:00 PM GMT at democracynow.org

06:20 PM Bahamas concerned over Chinese labor in the country close to 2007 general election, a cable shows.

05:00 PM After six months of having 90% of their donations unlawfully blocked, Wikileaks releases video and statement calling for investigation and de-licensing of the five major U.S. financial institutions responsible: VISA, MasterCard, PayPal, Western Union and the Bank of America.

... The fact is, the blockade is not just against WikiLeaks. It is against the associative rights and economic rights of every VISA, MasterCard, PayPal and Bank of America account holder, who have been prevented from supporting the organization of their choice. We call on regulators around the world to investigate and de-license these banking institutions. They are not politically neutral and are not obeying the rule of law. When VISA and MasterCard will happily provide services to the Klu Klux Klan, but not to WikiLeaks, it is time to act.

What Does it Cost to Change the World? from WikiLeaks on Vimeo.

12:45 PM Wikileaks tweets:

Hactivists take down MasterCard in protest over the continuing illegal WikiLeaks fiscal embargo mastercard.com

The unlawful banking blockade against WikiLeaks in 6th month: The culprits: VISA, MasterCard, PayPal, Bank of America, Western Union.

6:40 AM The UAE's interest in buying armed Predator drones is documented in diplomatic cables dating from 2004. Before having produced its first drone, The United Arab Emirates had tried to buy armed drones from the U.S. and later approached other countries for UAV systems.

04:55 AM Kristinn Hrafnsson's Sydney Ideas lecture, on the impact of Wikileaks on the media.

SYDNEY IDEAS: Wikileaks (June 2011) from e+b media on Vimeo.

Also available is an official audio recording of the Wikileaks is a force for good debate, with speakers Kristinn Hrafnsson, Suelette Dreyfus, Prof. Stuart Rees, Gareth Evans, Michael Fullilove and Tom Switzer and chaired by Dr Simon Longstaff.
Video will be available too in the future.

03:30 AM This completely slipped under my radar but those three resolutions proposed by the American Library Association (ALA) aiming to protect Wikileaks, Bradley Manning and freedom of information were voted down in their annual membership meeting on Sunday.

03:25 AM Yesterday Wikileaks appealed to their supporters for the creation of theatre plays that would serve as alternatives to Stainless Steel Rat. Well it turns out someone’s one-act play entitled Leaks coincidentally was just given green light by their drama teacher to be performed in front of an audience.

03:25 AM Reminder: all entries to WL Central’s essay competition must be submitted by the end of Thursday (no later than 11:59 p.m. GMT, June 30, 2011)
Theme is How can individuals and societies protect themselves against the encroachment and abuse of government power in the modern age? and so far four entries have been submitted. You can read and comment on them here.