The dogmata of secrecy: are we realistic about the facts and impact of massive leaks of classified information?

Abstract

In recent years, massive leaks of classified information enabled by the Internet have been at the core of political andmedia attention. Wikileaks and the Snowden files are well known examples. Public and political opinions show a particular black-and-white division. On the one hand there is alarm about the abuse of powers by intelligence services and on the other hand about the possible risks to national security. If we look at the fact finding side of the latter position there appears to be a vacuum. Opinion and not factual or logical proof is dominating the debate at this side. The dogmata of secrecy seem to prohibit such proofs. How can we elevate this debate by obtaining some facts and dependable conclusions in spite of their formal secrecy? In this paper we describe some methods available to perform the research necessary to answer this question and we will start making an inventory of press, political and scientific sources about the Snowden files to be able to estimate the actual as opposed to the alleged security impact of this case of massive leaking of classified information