American history Quote by Daniel Ellsberg
“In my estimation, there has not been in American history a more important leak than Edward Snowden's release of NSA material, and that definitely includes the Pentagon Papers 40 years ago.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Commentary on leaks, 2021
Snowden's leak is arguably the most significant in US history, surpassing the Pentagon Papers.
In simple terms: Snowden's leak is hugely impactful.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the power of information.
Themes
transparency
whistleblowing
media
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- journalistic investigation
- policy reform
- public debate
Key Concepts
government secrecy
public accountability
ethical journalism
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities accompany whistleblowing?
- How to protect sources while informing public?
A Different Perspective
Potential national security risks.
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![“The situation they [journalists and Edward Snowden] were in was incredibly heightened. The stakes were high. There was a lot of pressure, a lot of tension, a lot of sense of claustrophobic, clandestine energy that I think was exhilarating for us to explore and recreate. We were fortunate to shoot…” quote by Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c50/zachary-quinto-4021_amount_the-situation-they-journalists-and-edwar_1121168.jpg)
![“It's not exactly an interview that's going on [in documentary]. I guess we do ask Edward Snowden some questions and we're recording him answering them and so on like that.” quote by Melissa Leo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dee/melissa-leo-9231_asks_it-s-not-exactly-an-interview-that-s-goi_1084250.jpg)
![“I was really not familiar at all with Edward Snowden. I like to get that right out of the way and really learned most of what I know from Oliver's [Stones] script.” quote by Melissa Leo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bca/melissa-leo-9231_familiar_i-was-really-not-familiar-at-all-with-ed_944693.jpg)
![“[Edward Snowden and his team] they're great characters. They're fascinating people. They were in an extraordinary situation.” quote by Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a48/zachary-quinto-4021_character_edward-snowden-and-his-team-they-re-grea_906064.jpg)
![“It certainly woke me up to how vulnerable we all are. I think I was much more cavalier about it before I started working on the movie [Edward Snowden], and then the more I read the documents themselves and saw just how sweeping and indiscriminate the intrusions into our privacy have been, it made…” quote by Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/52b/zachary-quinto-4021_documents_it-certainly-woke-me-up-to-how-vulnerabl_515700.jpg)
![“Adam Clayton Powell's entire political career has to be looked at in the entire context of the American history and the history of, and the position of the Afro- American or negro in American history. [He] has done a remarkable job in fighting for rights of black people in this country. On the…” quote by Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/caa/malcolm-x-213_adam_adam-clayton-powell-s-entire-political-c_6932.jpg)
