The National Security Administration (NSA) breach started by Edward Snowden started shockwaves of criticism in the government. However, it also revealed that many people will remain silent despite uncomfortableness of being monitored because goes against the majority. The majority, stems from the October, 2001, Patriot Act which the United States has since then taken liberties in the means of national security. The spiral of silence demonstrates that people are willing to sacrifice their privacy in order to tracking potential terrorists and threats. Even though the NSA is fundamentally nullifies United States citizens constitutional rights, the minority is willing to remain silent.
Despite Snowden's Wikileaks are classified as treasonous in the eyes of the United States Government there is evidence that there is a majority of people according to Pew Research “44% say the release of classified information harms the public interest while 49% said it serves the …show more content…
However, when it came to expressing views publicly either online, or in person, their opinion abruptly switches to not an option and to remain silent. The NSA leak aligns completely as an example model of the Spiral of Silence concept. The threat of isolation aspect makes it difficult for the individual to argue against the surveillance because saying so would signal “that you don't care if the United States stops terrorists.” In a country that prides itself on fundamental freedom, self-liberty, and patriotism, speaking as a faction against a policy meant to protect the state is not feasible. Fear of isolation is identified in Pews research which showed “those who felt their coworkers agreed with their opinion were about three times more likely” (Pew) to agree with Snowden. Even though privacy is protected under the constitution, people feel uncomfortable expressing opinion about surveillance in “the fear of isolation
Despite Snowden's Wikileaks are classified as treasonous in the eyes of the United States Government there is evidence that there is a majority of people according to Pew Research “44% say the release of classified information harms the public interest while 49% said it serves the …show more content…
However, when it came to expressing views publicly either online, or in person, their opinion abruptly switches to not an option and to remain silent. The NSA leak aligns completely as an example model of the Spiral of Silence concept. The threat of isolation aspect makes it difficult for the individual to argue against the surveillance because saying so would signal “that you don't care if the United States stops terrorists.” In a country that prides itself on fundamental freedom, self-liberty, and patriotism, speaking as a faction against a policy meant to protect the state is not feasible. Fear of isolation is identified in Pews research which showed “those who felt their coworkers agreed with their opinion were about three times more likely” (Pew) to agree with Snowden. Even though privacy is protected under the constitution, people feel uncomfortable expressing opinion about surveillance in “the fear of isolation