Since I can remember I've always been intrigued about the concept of whistleblowing and the reasons behind it. The definition of whistleblowing is when a person informs on a person or organization who engaged in illicit activity. The reason an individual would want to do this makes sense, but it goes against the loyalty someone should have for their company. While we are taught to be loyal and respect our superiors; what makes something cross the line. Reasons for past whistleblowers have been committing a illegal, illicit, unsafe, waste, fraud, or an abuse of taxpayer funds. All of these reason make sense and this person who became the whistleblower should be congratulated for their actions. It most cases these individuals aren't celebrated and often slandered, exiled, or face some legal action.
Some Notable Whistleblowers in recent history are as followed: Mark Felt who was apart of the Watergate scandal that effected the presidency of Richard Nixon. Daniel Ellsberg who was an employee of the State Department in 1971, and was noted for leaking the pentagon papers which put into light how America got involved in the Vietnam War. Lastly is Edward Snowden who was a former computer intelligence consultant that leaked highly classified documents from the NSA, and ultimately fled the country seeking protection from the U.S.
All of these individuals played a major role in each of these situations, and they all tried doing what they thought was the right thing. It was very clear that most of these whistleblowers went against the government or government officials because of actions that deemed someone to step up and say something.
There are two common words that are associated with whistleblowers and they are courageous and coward. The two words are polar opposites and describe two completely different things. Some thing that whistleblowing is a coward thing to do because it is either going against you company or nation. While others thing that it takes a lot of courage to stand up against a stronger force to accomplish a goal that helps more than it hurts. Overall I'm pretty torn on what I think a whistleblower truly is, and what it comes down to for me is the reason behind their action. If it a true problem that needs to be relayed to the public then it makes sense to become a whistleblower , but if it's an issue that can be solved by talking to people within the organization then in my opinion that's taking the easy way out.
To be a successful and smart whistleblower there are key elements to follow and know about to make sure you are being effective and safe. There are accounts of whistleblowers disappearing, getting into legal trouble, and even fleeing the country. It is important to understand your rights before committing yourself to become a whistleblower. In the chart pictured below it outlines some of these elements that will allow you to become more knowledgeable with the plan of action whistleblowers should follow.
There is a reason for whistleblowers and that has become very imperative that we can establish an ethical way of doing it so there aren't any legal issues. Overall I have realized that whistleblowers will never be an icon to our society. There will always be a stigma behind these individuals due to the power behind the people they speak up against. In my mind they will be appreciated, and their actions will go down in history for the good and the bad. Their actions will be apart of the way our government is run to this date, and because of that they are important.
No comments:
Post a Comment