Shaping the news makes Snowden shoo-in for TIME gong

When it comes to individuals who have been influential in setting the news agenda in 2013 few can rival Edward Snowden.

The former National Security Agency contractor and wanted fugitive has spent the past year exposing classified information regarding the U.S government’s wide-ranging surveillance programme and for better or worse the exile has rarely been out of the headlines since.

Snowden’s revelations have ensured he’s achieved a high degree of notoriety with Ladbrokes installing the American whistleblower as their 2/1 favourite to be awarded the TIME Magazine Person of the Year.

And with rumours circulating that Snowden could be about to leak even more highly sensitive information it’ll be difficult for the Obama Administration to stop the mole gaining increased exposure.

Should Snowden claim the accolade he’d join the ranks of ‘The Protestor’, the recipient of the award in 2011, and ‘The Whistleblowers’ who scooped the prize 11 years ago.

But given that the award has been held by world leaders in four of the previous nine years the 5/1 on offer for Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to triumph may be worth snapping up.

Rouhani has recently been lauded for helping to broker a deal with international powers that will see Iran limit its uranium-enrichment programme in a bid to ease tension surrounding the country’s nuclear capabilities.

However, while stars of the entertainment industry have been notable for their absence from the winners’ list, Miley Cyrus may be about to emerge as a shock candidate to win the prize.

That’s if you’re prepared to believe various online polls, including Time’s own online survey carried out in conjunction with Poptip.

Cyrus has allegedly polled 28 per cent of the vote, ahead of Snowden and other leading figures such as Pope Francis.

Ultimately though, once the magazine’s editors sit down to make their final decision, there’s likely to be no surprise if Snowden emerges victorious.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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