US ARMY PRIVATE Bradley Manning will be sentenced today after being convicted on several counts of espionage related to his leaking of a huge trove of secret US diplomatic cables, government records, and military logs to the Wikileaks website.

Manning, 25, was found not guilty of the most serious charge – ‘aiding the enemy’ – but still faces a maximum of 136 years in prison.

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has said Manning’s conviction sets a “dangerous precedent” for whistleblowers and investigative journalists, and that there is no evidence that anyone had been harmed as a result of Manning’s disclosures.

However, advocates of Manning’s prosecution claim he is a traitor – and that the publication of the leaked material, particularly the diplomatic cables, attracted massive global attention and put US troops and diplomatic staff in danger.

What do you think: Is Bradley Manning a whistleblower or a traitor?

Poll Results:

Whistleblower (2939)

Traitor (2119)

Other (please explain in the comments below) (652)

Whistleblower
Traitor
Other (please explain in the comments below)

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More

Poll: Is Bradley Manning a whistleblower or a traitor?

Poll Results:

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.