Edward Snowden's Whistleblowing: An Ethical Dilemma Analysis

This essay delves into the ethical considerations surrounding Edward Snowden's actions as a whistleblower. It examines the values in conflict, the harm and benefits resulting from his disclosures, and whether his actions were ethically justified. The analysis explores the potential consequences of his actions, including the impact on government surveillance and public perception. The essay also considers alternative courses of action Snowden could have taken and discusses circumstances that might ethically justify whistleblowing. The conclusion synthesizes these points to provide a comprehensive evaluation of Snowden's case, drawing upon references to support its arguments and analysis of the ethical implications of whistleblowing.

Assessment

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
What values are there in conflict and illustrate harm as well as benefits caused by actions of
Snowden......................................................................................................................................3
Were the actions of Snowden ethically justified.........................................................................3
What would you do and why if you are in position of Snowden................................................3
Would you change position of the probabilities of actions was known......................................4
Is there any circumstance that justify whistle-blowing ethically ideal........................................4
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................4
References........................................................................................................................................5

Introduction
A person who exposes confidential and secretive information in public or private firm
which is deemed unethical, illegal or not adequate is referred to as whistleblower. Basically, they
are individuals who are involved within disclosing any illegal activities that are being conducted
to high authorities or public that is in form of corruption or fraud (Berg, 2020). This report is
based on Edward Joseph Snowden who is American whistleblower who have copied as well as
leaked classified information from NSA in 2013 when they were CIA subcontractor and
employee.
What values are there in conflict and illustrate harm as well as benefits caused by actions of
Snowden
The case illustrated values of courage, service and devotion that Snowden have towards
others. Values in conflict involves that they spoke about ways in which Americans were being
spied by peculiar firm, i.e. NSA and relevant information is being gathered related with the
without consent from them (Whistle-Blowers Deserve Protection Not Prison, 2017). Snowden is
regarded as saint by American public but along with this was demonized as a criminal for
Government. The harm that is being caused is associated with this is that how they caused stirrup
within American Perceptions for their government as well as documents were being released that
are confidential. Benefits which are created through this is assurance for supporting some
conspiracy suggestion of government spying on people without any warrant. In addition to this,
public got aware that there are some aspects are being hidden from them.
Were the actions of Snowden ethically justified
Activities that are carried out by Snowden seem ethically justified even if they are
prohibited legally. The character seemed to be more concerned about American public rather
than carrying out shady or illegal activities behind scenes (Pujol, 2020). Snowden tried to bring
in this side of government in front of people when they denied ability for finding higher-ups who
can look for unconstitutional things that were being carried out by NSA. Snowden tried to carry
out legal steps like reporting it to higher authorities but when things went out of hand then they
found that this is the only way to release all the documents as nothing else can be done (Edward
Snowden is a hero not a traitor, 2020).
.

What would you do and why if you are in position of Snowden
If I would be in that place then I may have opted for staying quiet with respect to that
situation. The reason behind this is that I do not want to lose my job due to act of whistle
blowing. Along with this, I would have taken into consideration the way in which CIA, news and
public will react while government documents are being released. In addition to this, the other
major aspect is that future employers will directly reject someone who has broken up law and has
been unethical in delivering their services.
Would you change position of the probabilities of actions was known
I think that I will never change position even in case leak of documents might have lead
to loss to life as I think that unnecessary spying leads to lose of even more lives. Neither CIA nor
NSA has right to creep into private lives of people and without any peculiar warrant (if they are
suspected to be criminals). Holding the private data which has no barriers is stupidity as well as
it also illustrates how much government trust their people (Edward Snowden, Whistle-Blower,
2020). This also depicts that the amount of criminality which is being done by higher-ups will be
ignored and it can have adverse impact on American people as well as opposition.
Is there any circumstance that justify whistle-blowing ethically ideal
Whistle-blowing can be regarded as ethically appropriate when some sort of corruption is
taking place with respect to public. Entire case of Snowden is an example that the act is ethically
appropriate as it is being carried out for good of American public. They tried to reach and report
adequate channels but people just ignored that was going on and then the need raised to make
people aware (Holder talks Snowden plea deal, 2020). Snowden felt whistle blowing relevant to
protect public even when they had an option to go with the flow but rather than walk off as
others did, they took what they felt is required. Whistleblowing must not be prohibited ethically
as it is meant to save people from different levels of corruption.
Conclusion
From above it can be concluded that whistle-blowing is an activity in which information of
organisation either its private or government is being given in public when some illegal or
irrelevant activities are being carried out. It has to be considered ethically adequate and ideal as it
can lead to save the interests of public.

References
Books & Journals
Berg, K.T., 2020. The Ethics of Whistleblowing. Journal of Media Ethics, 35(1), pp.60-64.
Pujol, J., 2020. Is this the end of privacy? Snowden and the power of conscience: Permanent
Record, by Edward Snowden.
Online
Edward Snowden is a hero not a traitor. 2020. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.amnesty.org/en/get-involved/take-action/edward-snowden-hero-not-
traitor/>.
Edward Snowden, Whistle-Blower. 2020. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/02/opinion/edward-snowden-whistle-blower.html?
_r=0>.
Holder talks Snowden plea deal. 2020. [Online]. Available through: <
https://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/eric-holder-edward-snowden-plea-102530>.
Whistle-Blowers Deserve Protection Not Prison. 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/06/11/in-nsa-leak-case-a-whistle-
blower-or-a-criminal/whistle-blowers-deserve-protection-not-prison>.