Newspapers call for Snowden clemency

The New York Times and The Guardian published editorials urging the Obama administration to have mercy on NSA leaker, Edward Snowden.  Both papers played a role in publishing Snowden’s disclosures, which the United States claims is harmful to national security.  The papers suggested that any possible wrongdoing of the former National Security Agency contractor in making public classified documents was outweighed by the importance of his revelations about the scope and manner of the United States’ espionage program.  The Times said, “Considering the enormous value of the information he has revealed, and the abuses he has exposed, Mr. Snowden deserves better than a life of permanent exile, fear and flight.”  The Guardian said it hoped US officials “within the present administration are working on a strategy to allow Mr. Snowden to return to the US with dignity” as a “shining example about the value of whistleblowers and of free speech itself.”

Read the full story on Yahoo News.