system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
CMV: Leakers and whistleblowers like Assange, Manning, Snowden, and the like are heroes, not criminals.

There is a sentiment in my home and the surrounding areas that whistleblowers deserve to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law for putting their work and security at risk, or at least not going through "proper channels" to expose government wrondoing. 

I disagree, since said "proper channels" are specifically designed to cover the government's ass, not serve the people. Whether on paper or not, that's why they're there in practice. 

Exposing the corruption, breaking of law, and violation of human rights should be universally heralded, not despised. Especially from an institution whose international actions are often justified by spreading the rights that are categorically denied on our own soil.
gpt
Can you not be both?  Deciding someone is a criminal is not a moral decision.  If you are found to have broken the law, you're a criminal.  It doesn't mean you're a bad person or you *necessarily* did something wrong.

For a literary example, take Robin Hood.  Obviously a hero.  Obviously also a criminal.