Panama Papers – Why were they leaked differently?
Last week, millions of emails, files and documents containing the secret dealings of the world’s richest and most powerful were leaked, in the form of the Panama Papers.
It has already been called the largest leak in history.
Hackers got into the database of Panamanian company Mossack Fonseca, a firm which operates tax havens in Switzerland and the British Virgin Islands amongst other places, and helps to manage wealth.
The papers claim to detail the offshore accounts and tax evasion schemes of around a dozen world leaders. The Icelandic Prime Minister, for example, has already stepped down as a result of the paper’s allegations.
We’ve seen leaks before, but they have been different in methodology. So what’s new here exactly? How has the collaborative effort of journalists changed how this leak is being received and debated?
Brian McNair, Professor of Journalism, Media and Communication at the Queensland University of Technology joined Sam to talk more about the issue.
Producer: Nicole Ng
