WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange declined to discuss government abuse of the press by the country that has been shielding him from arrest in a CNN interview that was more remarkable for what he did n't say than any revelations about his plight . In a sometimes combative interview Wednesday on `` OutFront with Erin Burnett , '' Assange described strategic surveillance by governments as a `` sea change in politics '' that puts freedoms at risk . When pushed about Ecuador 's press freedom record , described by the Committee to Protect Journalists as one of the worst in Latin America , Assange said : `` Its people have been generous to me , but it 's not a significant world player . '' `` Whatever little things occurring in small countries are not of concern , '' he said . `` We must concentrate on what is happening in the entire civilization of the world . '' Embassy life like ' a space station , ' Assange says . Assange fled to the Ecuadorian Embassy in London in June to avoid extradition to Sweden , where he is wanted for questioning over allegations that he raped one woman and sexually molested another . Assange has said he fears Sweden will transfer him to the United States , where he could face the death penalty for the work of WikiLeaks . He has repeatedly said the allegations are politically motivated and tied to the work of his website , which facilitates the publication of secret documents . WikiLeaks has published hundreds of thousands of pages of American government diplomatic cables and assessments of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq . He has not been charged in the United States , though Assange and his supporters claim a U.S. grand jury has been empanelled to consider charges against him . Army Pvt . Bradley Manning , 24 , has been charged with leaking classified military and State Department documents while serving as an intelligence analyst in Iraq . Assange nor WikiLeaks have ever confirmed Manning was the source . Assange appeared on the CNN news show to promote a new book he co-authored : `` Cypherpunks : Freedom and the Future of the Internet , '' which examines the threat of the Internet . He wrote the book with Jacob Appelbaum , Jeremie Zimmermann and Andy Muller-Maguhn . The interview turned testy when he declined to discuss Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa 's press freedom record . Correa , according to CPJ , has shuttered 11 local radio stations and had a record of filing lawsuits in civil and criminal courts as a means of intimidation . `` It 's not the topic of what we are doing here , '' Assange said , adding that he agreed to appear on the show to discuss `` the surveillance state . '' During the interview , Burnett asked Assange whether he felt any guilt about the plight of Manning or concern he might broker a plea deal that could implicate him . How notoriety has changed a trapped man . Assange deflected the questions and focused on the effort of Manning 's attorney to get the case dismissed over alleged abuse the private suffered to implicate him and WikiLeaks . `` As far as we know , there has been no such confession . '' Assange also declined to answer questions about his health following comments from Ecuador 's ambassador to the UK that the WikiLeaks founder is suffering a chronic lung infection . `` I do n't think it 's important , '' Assange said . Assange has been effectively confined for the past five months to the Ecuadorian Embassy , which granted him asylum in August . The move sparked a diplomatic row with the UK , which has said it will arrest Assange if he leaves the embassy . The UK says it has a legal obligation to hand Assange over to Sweden , after his legal effort to avoid extradition were rejected by British courts .
Ecuador granted Julian Assange asylum in August . The Committee to Protect Journalists says Ecuador has one of the worst press freedom records . `` Whatever little things occurring in small countries are not of concern , '' Assange says . WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, center, is seen on a screen as he addresses members of the media during an interview with Reuters at Ecuador's embassy in London, Thursday, June 19, 2010.