We live in a world where it’s harder and harder to hide. The internet, social media, connected devices, and cameras all make it more difficult to hide or disguise what’s actually happening. And yet, in some instances, it can feel like transparency is under greater threat than ever before. As a result, whistleblowers have become integral pieces to upholding some of our country’s most important institutions and freedoms.
Whistleblowers are the people willing to risk their careers, reputations, and even personal safety to expose corruption, fraud, and abuses of power. And in today’s polarized climate, whistleblowers play a key role in safeguarding liberty, integrity, and the rule of law.
But there’s just one small problem: Whistleblowers are facing growing challenges. From intimidation to retaliation, the stakes have never been higher for those who speak out.
What Are Whistleblowers?
A whistleblower is someone who exposes wrongdoing within an organization, whether public or private. This wrongdoing could involve illegal activities, unethical behavior, fraud, violations of the public trust — anything. Whistleblowers often work inside the organizations they’re exposing, which gives them firsthand knowledge of what’s going on behind closed doors.
Whistleblowers play a unique role in shining a light on practices that hurt local communities and larger societies, whether that’s exposing government overreach, corporate greed, or public health cover-ups. Their courage is what makes sure people in power are held accountable, and there are whistleblower protections to help safeguard them.
Hellbound and Down 