WikiLeaks

A dramatic thriller based on real events, THE FIFTH ESTATE reveals the quest to expose the deceptions and corruptions of power that turned an Internet upstart into the 21st century's most fiercely debated organization. The story begins as WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his colleague Daniel Domscheit-Berg (Daniel Brühl) team up to become underground watchdogs of the privileged and powerful. On a shoestring, they create a platform that allows whistleblowers to anonymously leak covert data, shining a light on the dark recesses of government secrets and corporate crimes.

Assange has inspired other internet whistleblowers including American Edward Snowden whose leaks of National Security documents last year disclosed classified details of several top-secret United States and British government mass surveillance programs to the press.  The diplomatic fallout includes allegations that the United States was spying even on its closest allies France and Germany.

Mr. Snowden has been fleeing United States authorities ever since, first taking refuge in Hong Kong, then holing up in the transit section of the Moscow international airport, and finally get a year’s asylum in Russia.

Even though he may have broken American laws in leaking classified documents to the press, do you think Mr. Snowden did the right thing? Did he reveal information the public needed to know? Is he justified in fleeing the United States?

Key Question: Is Snowden a Hero, a Traitor or Something Else?