WikiLeaks ‘blockade’ threatens its existence

WikiLeaks will have to stop publishing secret cables and devote itself to fund-raising if it is unable to end a financial “blockade” by US firms such as Visa and MasterCard by the end of the year, founder Julian Assange said on Monday.

After releasing tens of thousands of confidential US government cables, WikiLeaks needs $3,5 million over the next year to continue operating, Assange said.

Visa and MasterCard stopped processing donations for WikiLeaks in December 2010 after the US criticised the organisation’s release of thousands of sensitive US diplomatic cables from its embassies all over the world.

This story is for NewsDay subscribers.