What is a Whistleblower??
A Whistleblower is defined as exposing misconduct, alleged dishonesty, and illegal activity occurring in an organization. They are also usually someone who works inside of the organization. The types of exposed misconduct can range on a wide scale, such as waste fraud, corruption, public health, safety dangers, etc.
Additionally, in order for a whistleblower to get their information out, they have to report it to someone who can make the situation available to the public. I think that whistleblowers can be very positive because they do what others are afraid to do and speak the truth. They can be described as risk-takers and brave because they release specific information hidden from the public and would continue to be hidden if they didn’t speak up.
Although they are brave enough to speak up, they have to be careful when revealing information to the public because they could lose their job and ruin their reputation. On the other hand, the relationship between a whistleblower and a journalist could be compatible. Journalists can share the stories of whistleblowers, and through whistleblowers, journalists can hold those with power accountable for their actions.
However, it can also be risky for journalists and whistleblowers. In some cases, whistleblowers are not interested in working with the press because when journalist cite their information, they like to use official sources so that they are able to produce a strong, credible story.
Additionally, if a whistleblower chooses to release certain information, there are laws that can protect them to a certain extent. This depends on what type of information they disclose, who they obtained the information from, and how to obtain the information.
Since their individuals believe that whistleblowers are taking this risk for the greater good, there are many resources and tips for journalists who want to work with whistleblowers so that they are protected. The National Whistleblower Center offers 5 tips for journalists seeking to work with whistleblowers: Know the laws, Protect Anonymity, Know what is at stake for the whistleblower, Intelligence whistleblowers have their own set of rules and Leaking v. Whistleblowing.
I think that it is good to know that there are tips for this specific situation because there are a vast amount of individuals who would like to see a whistleblower behind bars, so this site being able to try and protect them shows that there are also individuals who want to know the truth when organizations with higher authority abuse their powers.
Furthermore, I thought one whistleblower case was very interesting because of the digital world in our society today. The whistleblower's name is Edward Snowden, a former CIA employee and a contractor for the U.S. government. He was found guilty of releasing thousands of classified documents about the NSA’s surveillance program to the public. Snowden chose to release this information to the public because he found out that the system the NSA created was being used to watch people and evade their privacy illegally over the internet. He knew that this was wrong and didn’t agree with one bit, so he did what he knew was right and released private files and documents.
I personally agree with Snowden's actions because it’s not right to spy on others and invade their privacy. We have the freedom to use the internet as we choose, and it is illegal to spy on citizens when it is our right to use it. Snowden was able to show how those with power can abuse it and think that it's okay because of the title they hold. No one should be able to use their power in this way unless it is for the greater good.
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