A whistleblower (also written as whistle-blower or whistle blower)[1] is a person who exposes secretive information or activity that is deemed illegal, unethical, or not correct within a private or public organization.[2] The information of alleged wrongdoing can be classified in many ways: violation of company policy/rules, law, regulation, or threat to public interest/national security, as well as fraud, and corruption.[3]
Those who become whistleblowers can choose to bring information or
allegations to surface either internally or externally. Internally, a
whistleblower can bring his/her accusations to the attention of other
people within the accused organization such as an immediate supervisor.
Externally, a whistleblower can bring allegations to light by contacting
a third party outside of an accused organization such as the media,
government, law enforcement, or those who are concerned. Whistleblowers,
however, take the risk of facing stiff reprisal and retaliation from
those who are accused or alleged of wrongdoing.
Because of this, a number of laws exist to protect
whistleblowers. Some third-party groups even offer protection to
whistleblowers, but that protection can only go so far. Whistleblowers
face legal action, criminal charges, social stigma, and termination from
any position, office, or job. Two other classifications of
whistleblowing are private and public. The classifications relate to the
type of organizations someone chooses to whistle-blow on: private sector, or public sector.
Depending on many factors, both can have varying results. However,
whistleblowing in the public sector organization is more likely to
result in criminal charges and possible custodial sentences. A
whistleblower who chooses to accuse a private sector organization or
agency is more likely to face termination and legal and civil charges.
Deeper questions and theories of whistleblowing and why people choose to do so can be studied through an ethical
approach. Whistleblowing is a topic of ongoing ethical debate. Leading
arguments in the ideological camp that whistleblowing is ethical
maintain that whistleblowing is a form of civil disobedience, and aims to protect the public from government wrongdoing.[4][5]
In the opposite camp, some see whistleblowing as unethical for
breaching confidentiality, especially in industries that handle
sensitive client or patient information.[6]
Legal protection can also be granted to protect whistleblowers, but
that protection is subject to many stipulations. Hundreds of laws grant
protection to whistleblowers, but stipulations can easily cloud that
protection and leave whistleblowers vulnerable to retaliation and legal
trouble. However, the decision and action has become far more
complicated with recent advancements in technology and communication.[7] Whistleblowers frequently face reprisal,
sometimes at the hands of the organization or group they have accused,
sometimes from related organizations, and sometimes under law. Questions
about the legitimacy of whistleblowing, the moral responsibility of whistleblowing, and the appraisal of the institutions of whistleblowing are part of the field of political ethics.
The person who filed a whistleblower complaint detailing President Donald Trump’s efforts to persuade the Ukrainian president to investigate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, is a CIA officer who had been detailed to the White House, The New York Times is reporting.
According to the story posted Thursday, The Times reports:
- The whistleblower is most likely an analyst by training due to the way the complaint was structured.
- He appears to have detailed knowledge of American foreign policy toward Europe, the story says, “demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of Ukrainian politics and at least some knowledge of the law.”
- He did not listen directly to a July call between Trump and Zelensky, the story says.
- His lawyers, who have been in touch with members of the House, have not confirmed any information about him.
- Attorneys for the whistleblower cautioned The Times about identifying him in any way.
- “Any decision to report any perceived identifying information of the whistle-blower is deeply concerning and reckless, as it can place the individual in harm’s way,” said Andrew Bakaj, his lead counsel. “The whistle-blower has a right to anonymity.”
- According to the complaint filed about the call, the man “did not work on the communications team that handles calls with foreign leaders” but learned of the call “in the course of official interagency business.”
- The whistleblower is back working at the CIA.
The revelation of the phone call between Trump and Zelensky led
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to formally open an impeachment
inquiry into Trump’s actions. The whistleblower’s complaint was
declassified and released to the public on Thursday.
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