WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has spoken on the subject of knowledge, and its relationship with power.

During an essay for BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Assange stated: "The powerful - if they want to keep their power - will try to know as much about us as they can, and they will try to make sure that we know as little about them as is possible."

This insight, he said, was seen both in "religious writings which promised emancipation from political oppression and in revolutionary works promising liberation from the repressive dogmas of the Church and the state".

He added: "Documents disclosed by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden show that governments dare to aspire, through their intelligence agencies, to a god-like knowledge of each and every one of us."

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Thursday 2 January 2013, guest edited by PJ Harvey.