The crusade continues. WikiLeaks, a website dedicated to disclosing official secrets, has begun releasing about 250,000 US diplomatic cables. This follows its publication of thousands of confidential military files relating to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Much of the new information is unsurprising – the US is concerned about Pakistani nuclear weapons; US diplomats, like their counterparts, spy as well as lie abroad for their country. The cumulative effect will to cause embarrassment, if not lasting damage.

Red faces are a small price to pay for freedom of information. Full facts about the actions of those who govern them enable citizens to make better decisions about their leaders, and hold them to account. Where evidence of wrong-doing by those in authority has been suppressed, making it freely available is a public service. Many of WikiLeaks’ previous disclosures – such as the killing of unarmed civilians in Iraq – fit into this category.

But this does not mean that all information belongs in the public domain. In order for states to conduct their affairs effectively, and ensure the security of their citizens, some secrets must remain. WikiLeaks’ latest disclosure does not quite cross this line. But nor does the release of this trove pass the public interest test unequivocally. The material released so far does not reveal any wrongdoing.