I have no idea about whether Snowden was covered, but "media blackout" certainly doesn't require gov't violence: * media (corporations typically owned by large

I have no idea about whether Snowden was covered, but "media blackout" certainly doesn't require gov't violence: * media (corporations typically owned by larger corporations) can decide not to report what's against owners' interests * advertisers (corporations buying access to eyeballs) may find news against their interests Many journalists might want to report, but they have bosses/editors, and those covering important news are selected for having certain attitudes. Government may threaten to revoke access, but that's probably too marginal to cause a blackout.