The WikiLeaks Iraq and Afghanistan war logs—and now the roll out of diplomatic cables—are having an enormous impact on journalism.

On December 16, 2010, the Nieman Foundation for Journalism convened a group of reporters and editors along with other watchdog experts for a one-day conference.

“From Watergate to WikiLeaks: Journalism and Secrecy in the New Media Age” explored how secrets are investigated, shared and filtered (or not) in an era of self-publishing, online whistle-blowing, data mining and social media websites.

Participants discussed journalism’s role—what it traditionally has been and what it can or should be in this new environment.

KEYNOTE I
Journalism’s Role: Freedom of Information in the Digital Age
Kathleen Carroll, Executive Editor, The Associated Press

PANEL I: GLOBAL STRUGGLE
Prosecuted, Banned, Blamed: Reporters Push Boundaries as a Voice of Public Accountability

PANEL II: NATIONAL CHALLENGES
Whither the Gatekeeper? Navigating New Rules and Roles in the Age of Radical Transparency

KEYNOTE II
Secrets, National Security and the Press: Does WikiLeaks Change Anything?

PANEL III: FUTURE OF TRANSPARENCY
Secrets 2.0: Exploring Entrepreneurial Answers to Journalistic Obligations