He rises through the ranks of the intelligence agency at breakneck speed and the movie exaggerates his role, sometimes implying he was one of the most important analysts in the agency.
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A congressional report has found that former NSA contractor Edward Snowden gave up top secret information to Russian Federation, embellished his resume and consistently lied throughout his short-lived intelligence career. NPR’s David Welna reports.
Snowden, who spoke by video at a conference in Athens, confirmed that he “will be voting”, but refused to disclose which candidate would receive his backing, the Associated Press reported.
The report, embedded at the bottom of this article in full, is a four-page summary of a larger 36-page document, which officials said will remain classified because it contains valuable details regarding U.S. intelligence operations. Devin Nunes is the California Republican who chairs that panel. The release comes as the controversial figure sees another turn in the public spotlight, with the release of the feature-length “Snowden” film based on his actions and a movement by privacy groups to gain him a presidential pardon.
WELNA: Here are a few of the facts laid out in the summary.
Third, officials say that Snowden was a disgruntled employee at best because two weeks before stealing NSA documents, he was reprimanded after engaging in a workplace spat with several NSA managers. California’s Adam Schiff is the intelligence panel’s top Democrat.
The report ended by saying that the NSA needs to improve its work on creating an environment in which another Snowden-style leak can not take place, claiming that not enough has been done to reduce the risk. “They instead pertain to military, defence and intelligence programmes of great interest to America’s adversaries”, said the report.
WELNA: How can you know when what was leaked?
This film is a fascinating portrait of a complex individual and we will continue to see this issue play out on the evening news.
HPSCI noted that the full damage resulting from Snowden’s actions remain “unknown”, despite reviews by the Department of Defense and intelligence community.
Lawmakers said that in order to avoid interfering with a criminal investigation, the committee did not interview Snowden, who is living in Moscow, or any witnesses who may be called should Snowden face trial. Stone told Snowden he was making the movie with or without the subject’s cooperation, Wizner said, so Snowden ultimately decided it was better “to help Oliver tell a more accurate story”.
What It’s About: Whistleblower Edward Snowden is a polarizing figure.
“Snowden” follows the life of Edward Snowden (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), from upstart soldier in 2004, through his training and career in the Central Intelligence Agency, and later as a contractor for the NSA, after Central Intelligence Agency field work proved to be too intense for the brilliant, reserved young man with deeply held beliefs about morality and patriotism.
ROONEY: He was, like, this little guy fighting this behemoth of oppressive government when that’s not at all what it was.
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Add Snowden’s mild-mannered, Clark Kent-ish demeanor to the inherent dullness of sitting in front of a computer monitor and you have a movie that, despite its significance, is boring as Hell. “Oliver takes his music very seriously and I have always enjoyed collaborating with him and music supervisor Budd Carr”. Wizner says he remains hopeful about the president acting, although the government has repeatedly said that Snowden should face the charges.
