When is a Whistleblower Not a Whistleblower?

When his or her revelations involve the state or its functionaries instead of “private” companies or persons. The media argues that whistleblowing only applies to “wrongdoing, corruption, illegal activity,” all of which the state could never be guilty of, right? I mean, by definition the state is right, incorruptible, and legal, so clearly Edward Snowden is not a whistleblower, just a traitor.

Skyler.