WikiLeaks stops works as financial blockade bites

The founder of WikiLeaks has warned that it may soon have to stop publishing secrets because of a cash crisis.

Julian Assange says the outfit is feeling the pinch because of a financial blockade by several US firms.

“The blockade has cost the organisation tens of millions of dollars in lost donations at a time of unprecedented costs, resulting from publishing alliances in over 50 countries with over 90 media and human rights groups. Our scarce resources must now focus entirely on fighting this unlawful blockade,” he said.

Visa, Paypal, Mastercard and the Bank of America stopped processing donations for WikiLeaks last year after the US government criticised the organisation’s release of thousands of sensitive diplomatic cables.

WikiLeaks has appealed to its supporters to send it money directly to ensure its survival.

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