> Providing a counterbalance makes it harder for the government propaganda machine to sway public opinion against him and turn him into Just Another Terrorist.

> Providing a counterbalance makes it harder for the government propaganda machine to sway public opinion against him and turn him into Just Another Terrorist. Maybe he should tell Russian state media to tone it down a bit then. From http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2351981/Is-Ed-Snowden-set-claim-asylum-Venezuela-President-Maduro-visits-Russia-tomorrow.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2351981/Is-Ed-Snowde... : "In several rapidly-aired shows on state-run TV, Snowden was flattered as 'a soldier in the information war, who fights, of course, on the side of Russia'." As far as Russia is concerned Snowden isn't fighting for some pan-national ideal; he's fighting on the side of Russia