Edward Snowden og whistleblowing: En analyse

1. Give an outline of the different views on whistleblowing presented in the texts.

In text 1 we hear about the various views to the leak caused by Edward Snowden. The discussion is whether Snowden is a traitor or a hero. Senator Dianne Feinstein expresses herself to the newspaper, and she thinks that Snowden’s act is an act of treason, and that is has done no good. In the article there is also an interview with Republican House Speaker John Boehner. Boehner and Feinstein are on equal terms - they share their opinions. Boehner calls Snowden a traitor, and he says that the leaks put America to a risk. As a contrast to these opinions there is an interview with the chairman of the Campaign for Liberty Ron Paul. Paul brings the importance of the Fourth Amendment, which is an amendment that guarantees citizens’ right to privacy and freedom, into focus. Ron Paul sees Snowden as a hero.

In text 2 the opinion about Edward Snowden is clear - he is no hero. In his article, Lawyer and author Jeffrey Toobin writes about his view on Snowden and the leak of the National Security Agency Programs. Toobin thinks that Snowden has got a twisted view on the programs. He mentions that everyone knows that the programs were made to protect the Americans, not to spy on them. Toobin mentions that Snowden decided to go to Hong Kong after the leak. He thinks Snowden forgot the fact that Hong Kong is a part of China, which is one of the United States’ biggest supporters. The information might end up with the Chinese government, which has no commitment to free speech or the right to political dissent.