This is going to upset a lot of Americans, both Republicans and Democrats. The online whistleblower WikiLeaks has been nominated for the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, The Hill reports.
Norwegian politician Snorre Valen nominated the company for its role in freedom of speech and disclosing information related to former Tunisian President El Abidine Ben Ali.
WikiLeaks also has been responsible for compromising the safety of U.S. military and intelligence personnel by releasing diplomatic and military secrets. Some congressmen have called for Wiki founder Julian Assange to be prosecuted under the Espionage Act.
In December, Vice President Joe Biden called Assange a "high-tech terrorist" and suggested he should be pursued and prosecuted. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has said similar things on her Facebook page.
Assange is now under house arrest in London awaiting potential extradition to Sweden on accusations of rape and molestation. He would join both President Barack Obama and former Vice President Al Gore as a winner of the prestigious but often controversial prize.
"WikiLeaks is one of this century's most important contributors to freedom of speech and transparency," Valen told the news agency NTB Wednesday.
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