NYT, Guardian push for Snowden clemency

The New York Times and The Guardian have reportedly published editorials calling on US president Barack Obama to make a clemency deal with NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden and bring him back to the country.

Snowden, who has been charged with espionage by the US for leaking classified data about the nation's mass surveillance programmes, is currently under a temporary political asylum in Russia that will expire in August 2014.

According to Politico, The Times' editorial, titled "Edward Snowden, Whistle-Blower", argued that Snowden might have broken the law when he stole and revealed details about the NSA's surveillance tactics, but he provided an important service in exposing the tactics.

The editorial piece further said that it was time for the US to offer Snowden a plea bargain or some form of clemency that would allow him to return home, face at least substantially reduced punishment, considering his role of a whistleblower.

Meanwhile, The Guardian, which first published the alleged classified documents as acquired by journalist Glenn Greenwald, also published a similar editorial urging clemency for Snowden.

The revelations have sparked global debate about the issue of individual privacy and national security.