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I wonder why do newspapers insist on labelling Snowden a 'leaker'. Why not 'whistleblower', or 'privacy advocate'?


It's AP style - http://blog.ap.org/2013/06/10/whistle-blower-or-leaker/

Other interesting discussions about language usage on the AP blog - http://blog.ap.org/


'Leaker' is the closest thing to neutral. With most people he is either a 'whistle-blower' or a 'traitor'.


Hmm, this makes sense, but I think they need to find a new neutral word - leaker seems to have moved significantly closer to "traitor" than to "whistle-blower" amongst most of the people I talk to.


Because that would be taking a stance on weather he was a whistleblower or a traitor. He leaked the documents, so he's a leaker.


In my country is worse. The media call him a mole.


Well, he admitted to as much. I think the only reason they don't call him a 'mole' in the U.S. is that he isn't still there and that is identity is known.




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