WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange revealed that he has damaging "insurance files" on Rupert Murdoch and his News Corp media empire that he will release if something happens to him or to WikiLeaks.

Assange made the revelation in a conversation with journalist John Pilger that appeared on the website of the New Statesman magazine on Wednesday.

"If something happens to me or to WikiLeaks, 'insurance' files will be released," Assange told Pilger. He said that the contents of the files "speak more of the same truth to power...there are 504 US embassy cables on one broadcasting organisation and there are cables on Murdoch and News Corp."

Assange also said that any attempts by the U.S. government to prosecute him should worry the American press.

"I think what's emerging in the mainstream media is the awareness that if I can be indicted, other journalists can, too," he said.