[bvw]

The purpose of a wide democratic snipe hunt is to try and shine lights in those places regular investigations would miss because of preconceptions, politics, or prudishness.

So yes, ideally such broad public vigilance will have aspects of a snipe hunt.

(Just to note: What we do want to avoid is witch hunts.)

[21stCenturyFreeThinker]

From wikipedia article on snipe hunts*.

The origin of the term is a practical joke where inexperienced campers are told about a bird or animal called the snipe as well as a usually ridiculous method of catching it, such as running around the woods carrying a bag or making strange noises.

The purpose of a wide democratic snipe hunt is to keep the opposition occupied with an impossible task. It's a bonus that they get a laugh out of it.

* Is there anything that wikipedia doesn't cover?