61% Americans think Snowden should stand trial in US

About 61 percent Americans think that NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden should trial in the US, a new survey has revealed.

The poll, conducted on behalf of CBS News by Social Science Research Solutions of Media, asked Americans to give their opinions about the alleged mass surveillance programme.

According to the data, only 23 percent Americans believe that Snowden should be granted amnesty.

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It was found that only 31 percent approve of Snowden's actions of revealing the trove of classified information that upset US' relations with its allies and led to loss of trust among citizens and global leaders.

The poll also found that Americans have divided opinion about the impact on the country from making the NSA programme public, as 40 percent think the disclosure has been good for the country and 46 percent think otherwise.

Nearly a quarter of the respondents used the word 'traitor' or a similar word describing Snowden, while 8 percent said he is 'brave' or 'courageous' or 'a hero', 2 percent considered him 'patriotic', and another 2 percent associated the word 'terrorist' to him.

Snowden has been charged with espionage by the US for exposing the controversial programme, and he is currently under temporary asylum granted by Russia.