The traditional media is complicit. And it isn't some grand conspiracy either, they just share the same interests as the rest of the establishment, being part of (and/or owned by) the establishment themselves.

There is good independent media that has been covering the story for years though. Here's a Democracy Now story from February 2005:

http://www.democracynow.org/2005/2/10/no_place_to_hide_award...

Democracy Now has an incredible archive on this subject too. Right now it starts here:

http://www.democracynow.org/topics/nsa/7

Specifically, they've done some great interviews with previous whistleblowers:

http://www.democracynow.org/appearances/william_binney http://www.democracynow.org/appearances/russell_tice http://www.democracynow.org/appearances/thomas_drake http://www.democracynow.org/appearances/jesselyn_radack

Other interesting guests:

http://www.democracynow.org/appearances/jacob_appelbaum http://www.democracynow.org/appearances/laura_poitras http://www.democracynow.org/appearances/james_bamford