Our Voice Will Set Us Free
In the age of terror, public discourse on privacy versus security is essential to freedom in America. The Oliver Stone film âSnowdenâ uncovers the extent of the National Security Agencyâs widespread surveillance system used to track and collect digital information of millions of people abroad, and the average U.S. citizens. Edward Snowdenâs choice to reveal classified information on the government program to the press informed Americans and sparked the discussion whether privacy from our own government or national security is of higher value.
The story of âwhistleblowerâ, Edward Snowden, leaking classified documents on the NSAâs questionable program demonstrates the significance of freedom of press in a democratic society. The First Amendment states, âCongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievancesâ (Campbell, 537). Whether the NSAâs program is ethical or unethical should be left to the public to decide because it involves both privacy and security of American citizens. The First Amendmentâs freedom of expression and press permits journalism to be a fourth estate to the government, functioning to enlighten the public on government actions.
The film expresses the dangerous yet necessary role of journalism to mediate information into the public domain in order nourish democratic discussion. Snowdenâs decision to throw a red flag on the American government was very dangerous, but crucial for the public to maintain agency over information and the basic human right of privacy. The argument can be made that âI donât have to worry because I donât have anything to hideâ. Snowden declares in an interview by The Guardian, âPeople who say they donât care about privacy because they have got nothing to hide have not really thought too deeply about these issues because what they are really saying is I do not care about this right. When you say I donât care about the right to privacy because I have nothing to hide, that is no different than saying I donât care about freedom of speech because I have nothing to say or freedom of the press because I have nothing to write.â (Snowden, Edward). Using our voices to exercise our agency over information and truth is the only way to ensure freedom and allow democracy to thrive. If our rights are not valued, we cannot be free.
Works Cited:
Campbell, Richard. âMedia and Culture: Mass Communication in a Digital Ageâ.
Stone, Oliver. Snowden. Open Road Films. 2016. Movie.
The Guardian Interview (Edward Snowden): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpO3GeXTceM

















