Whistleblowers Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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whistleblowers

[ˈwɪslˌbloʊ.ər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in journalism

Whistleblowers are individuals who expose illegal or unethical activities within an organization, often at great personal risk.

Synonyms

informant, whistle-blower, whistleblower.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
informant	Typically used in a law enforcement context to describe a person who provides privileged information about criminal activities. It can have a negative or neutral connotation depending on the situation. The police rely on informants to gather information about the drug trade. An informant tipped off the authorities about the planned robbery.
whistleblower	Used to describe someone who reports illegal or unethical activities within an organization, usually with the intention of stopping the malpractice. Often has a connotation of bravery and seeking justice. The whistleblower exposed the company's fraudulent accounting practices. The law protects whistleblowers from retaliation.

Word

Description / Examples

informant

Typically used in a law enforcement context to describe a person who provides privileged information about criminal activities. It can have a negative or neutral connotation depending on the situation.

The police rely on informants to gather information about the drug trade.
An informant tipped off the authorities about the planned robbery.

whistleblower

Used to describe someone who reports illegal or unethical activities within an organization, usually with the intention of stopping the malpractice. Often has a connotation of bravery and seeking justice.

The whistleblower exposed the company's fraudulent accounting practices.
The law protects whistleblowers from retaliation.

Examples of usage

Whistleblowers play a crucial role in holding powerful institutions accountable.
Edward Snowden is a well-known whistleblower who leaked classified information about government surveillance programs.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

legal

Whistleblowers are protected by laws in many countries to encourage reporting of misconduct without fear of retaliation.

Synonyms

informant, tipster, whistleblower.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
whistleblowers	Used to describe individuals who expose misconduct or illegal activities within an organization. Generally used in serious contexts such as corporate, government, or institutional settings. The government provided protection to whistleblowers who revealed corruption in the agency. Whistleblowers played a key role in uncovering the financial fraud.
whistleblower	Same as 'whistleblowers', but singular. Used to refer to an individual who exposes inappropriate or illegal actions in an organization. Usually strong and serious in tone. The company fired the whistleblower who reported the safety violations. A whistleblower revealed the environmental crimes committed by the corporation.
informant	Refers to someone who provides confidential or secret information, often to the police or an authority. Can have a neutral or negative connotation depending on the situation. The police arrested the gang members with the help of an anonymous informant. Informants are crucial in gathering intelligence on criminal activities.
tipster	Typically used to describe someone who gives hints or information, often unofficially, about opportunities like betting, investments, or news. Can sometimes have a casual or informal tone. The tipster informed the newspaper about the celebrity’s secret wedding. He made a significant profit on the stock market thanks to a reliable tipster.

Examples of usage

The company had a policy in place to support whistleblowers who came forward with concerns.
Whistleblowers can sometimes receive financial rewards for reporting wrongdoing.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The term 'whistleblower' originates from the use of whistles in sports to alert players about rule violations.
The modern concept became prominent in the 20th century, especially with laws protecting people who disclose information about wrongdoings.

Legal Framework

Different countries have specific laws to protect whistleblowers from retaliation, encouraging employees to speak up about misconduct.
In the U.S., the Whistleblower Protection Act was enacted in 1989 to prevent government officials from punishing whistleblowers.

Pop Culture

The actions of some notable whistleblowers, like Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning, have sparked global debates about privacy and government surveillance.
Movies like 'The Insider' and 'Snowden' portray real-life whistleblower stories, highlighting the risks and ethical dilemmas involved.

Psychology

Whistleblowing often involves moral courage, as individuals must confront powerful entities and face possible backlash.
Studies show that psychological support is crucial for whistleblowers, as they can experience significant stress and isolation.

Ethics

Whistleblowers play a vital role in promoting accountability and transparency in organizations and governments.
The ethical dilemma they face often revolves around loyalty to their employer versus duty to the public or society.

Origin of 'whistleblowers'

The term 'whistleblower' originated from the practice of police officers blowing their whistles to alert others of a crime or danger. It gained prominence in the 1970s during the Watergate scandal, where informants played a crucial role in exposing government corruption. Since then, whistleblowers have become an integral part of transparency and accountability efforts in various fields.