Executive Editor of The New York Times Defends Publishing Snowden Leaks

Addressing accusations that the leaks are a threat to national security

The executive editor of the New York Times has defended the publication of documents from US whistleblower Edward Snowden, following accusations that such leaks were a threat to national security.

Speaking to Newsnight's Jeremy Paxman, Jill Abramson argued that experienced journalists had the ability to "balance the need to inform the public against possible harm to national security".