An Interview with Snowden’s Lawyer: Robert Tibbo on Whistleblowing, Mass Surveillance and Human Rights Activism

Abstract

Robert Tibbo is a prominent human rights lawyer and activist and is the defence lawyer of the National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden. This interview may be of particular interest to researchers in the field of critical management studies regarding its discussion of (1) the close relationship between whistleblowing and human rights activism, (2) the use of new systems of global mass surveillance to target activists and journalists, (3) the use of secrecy by government organisations to avoid democratic accountability in cases of human rights violations and (4) the effect of mass surveillance on freedom of expression and problems relating to increased self-censorship and political apathy. This interview with Robert Tibbo provides a helpful introductory discussion of whistleblowing and human rights activism from a key figure who has had first-hand experience in this key area of social and political struggle.