We think it our job to share with our readers, some just happen to be publishers, new and innovative ideas that leak on the web or in offline conversations that we think they may find interesting, and in that light, we share that the New York Times is contemplating creating their own version of WikiLeaks.

The concept, for all intensive purposes, makes sense, as the rate of interest from the public web on the topic of WikiLeaks (remember Operation Payback?) was unprecedentedly high when the story was just unfolding, late last year.  Yet,  we can’t help but wonder how government bodies will react to this New York Times initiative.  Let’s not forget how they reprimanded, blasted and attacked WikiLeaks and it’s staff, when what they deemed confidential documents were released.  We also know that there were warnings , around social sharing and commenting on WikiLeaks stories, distributed to educational programs that earmarked students for jobs within the government and many businesses (Amazon, Master Card, PayPal, etc…) ceased supporting, hosting and or providing services to WikiLeaks, due to government pressure.  What’s more, many members of the US government tried to minimize the credibility of WikiLeaks by saying they were not a real media group, insinuating that the public should not take them seriously.  Well… what will they say about the New York Times and their bout at publicly supporting whistle blowing – the, arguably , largest publishing media group in the US?  Has the New York Times thought about government reaction?  We’re hoping they have and plan to brave the storm.  The alternative, a watered down and heavily censored version of WikiLeaks, would do no good for anyone, and if that is what the plan to roll out, we say put your energies elsewhere.