In the case of Edward Snowden, news organizations had a moral obligation to publish the classified records he came forward with. It is important that US citizens know the gravity of the situation and the depth of information the NSA is able to collect in such a short period of time. Cases like this are what makes freedom of press and the first amendment so important.

One particular reason why these documents should be published is because of the NSA’s refusal to admit that they were collecting information at all. In several clips shown in the documentary, when on trial the NSA responded “no” to all questions regarding the collection or ability to collect data on US citizens. Since this is so far from the truth, American’s have a right to know the reality of the situation and the news organization have a duty to publish what they know.

The major issue with disclosing such classified documents is that it puts both the whistleblower and the journalist at a very high risk of being put in jail for life. Snowden writes to Poitras “No one, not even my most trusted confidante, is aware of my intentions, and it would not be fair for them to fall under suspicion for my actions. You may be the only one who can prevent that, and that is by immediately nailing me to the cross rather than trying to protect me as a source.” This quote displayed the extreme care taken in moving forward with exposing government records along with the risk taken by everyone involved (both directly and indirectly).