> Within the UK, the general public has not favored the Guardian's reporting on the Snowden-NSA files. Many see it as anti-British
Apologies if I've missed it somewhere in your post, but where are you getting this from?
Much of the rest of the press is, rather strangely given their seemingly life-or-death battle to defend their right to print celebrity tittle-tattle, mostly siding with the government on this. But I'm not seeing a groundswell of public opinion supporting that view.
General public opinion was a bit exaggerated as I was talking about the people around me and their open reactions to Snowden's whistle-blowing.
However, if you feel like it, you can read the 1100 comments on this BBC article and enjoy the anti-Snowden sentiment: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24486649
Hint: Pay close attention to the 'editor's picks'.
In my opinion the British public seem to see Snowden as a traitor. 'General public opinion' is not verifiable (as you pointed out).
Whereas the people I've talked to about it tend to fall much more into the "disapproving of but not surprised with the NSA" camp.
And if you look at the top rated comments, rather than the BBC editor's personal picks, you'll see a fair amount of "Totalitarianism is a far greater threat to freedom than terrorism."-type comments before you get to any attacking Snowden's actions.
Apologies if I've missed it somewhere in your post, but where are you getting this from?
Much of the rest of the press is, rather strangely given their seemingly life-or-death battle to defend their right to print celebrity tittle-tattle, mostly siding with the government on this. But I'm not seeing a groundswell of public opinion supporting that view.