LONDON — National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden will speak directly to Britain in a prerecorded televised Christmas message, stressing the importance of privacy and urging an end to government surveillance.


Snowden will set out why he believes mass surveillance by governments is wrong and will note the importance of the debate his disclosures have ignited.


The queen delivers Britain's "Royal Christmas Message," but Channel 4 has used its parody version to give a platform to people as diverse as Iran's then-President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad in 2008 and fictional character Marge Simpson in 2004. The Associated Press