I think Edward Snowden now is a lot more like John McAfee than Edward R. Murrow. Snowden is trading on his personality and celebrity moreso than journalistic integrity or technical credentials.

Snowden might have sources leaking to him, or he might be acting as a front for someone else, but it doesn't matter either way. People will believe him because he says it and it sounds plausible.

In a few years he'll probably be shilling gold coins or prepper tools.