WikiLeaks Earns Spot on Midwinter Agenda

December 8, 2010

ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels notified the Association’s governing Council today the decision by the Library of Congress and other government agencies to block online access to the WikiLeaks website will be added to the Midwinter Meeting discussion agenda in San Diego in January. Here is his message to Council in full:

The Committee on Legislation (COL) and the Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) are reviewing the issues associated with WikiLeaks’ ongoing disclosure of large numbers of classified United States government documents, including the decision by the Library of Congress and other government agencies to block online access to the WikiLeaks website. We know that many ALA members and units, in addition to Council, are following these events and wish to be involved in discussions about these issues at Midwinter.

WikiLeaks raises many policy issues including, but not limited to, access to government information, censorship and the blocking of websites, government secrecy and the over-classification of government information, treatment of whistleblowers, government transparency, and the legalities surrounding classified information. The IFC and COL have asked staff from the Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF) and the Office of Government Relations (OGR) to assist Council and other interested ALA members and units by bringing together information about the issues and policy questions raised by WikiLeaks’ activities, and the government’s response to those activities.

COL and IFC have taken the following steps in preparation for a discussion at the ALA Midwinter Meeting:

IFC and COL are working out details of a jointly sponsored program at Midwinter on Saturday, January 8, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The program will include an update on the WikiLeaks situation and an opportunity for member comment on these issues. Details will be available when we have more specifics.
Prior to Midwinter, staff will bring together information about WikiLeaks, and the issues and policy questions raised by their disclosures, and post that information on ALA Connect and ALA’s website. The information will include references to existing ALA policies that address these issues. This will be a dynamic site with new questions and new information being posted as events evolve.
COL and IFC are working together and will seek to collaborate with other interested ALA units to bring to Council information and recommendations for consideration.

As we proceed, we know that IFC and COL would appreciate hearing your questions so as to be most helpful to you and others as the Association discusses these important issues. Please contact: Barbara Jones or Deborah Caldwell-Stone [OIF] or Lynne Bradley [OGR, Washington Office] if you have any questions.

COL and IFC will keep Council informed of developments as they occur….

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