I think the change was that after the leaks the existence of the programs was incontrovertible - while many with an interest in the topic would have asserted their existence, they could not be discussed in a meaningful way in large-circulation media because dismissing assertions of their existence as &#x27;amusing and dramatic&quot; or &quot;conspiracy theorizing&quot; was always going to be the safer editorial position. After Snowden, that isn&#x27;t really possible without looking a little foolish.