Just as every whistleblower’s story is unique, so too is their path in bringing it to the public.
Some are most comfortable sharing their story with one trusted journalist, and others would rather take matters into their own hands with self-publication. Whistleblowers typically navigate one of these three paths in coming forward:
Disclosing information to a selected journalist
The most direct and common way to widely publicize a story is by sharing it directly with a journalist. This gives power to the source to decide who they think would tell their story most accurately, and which media audience they think would be most impacted by their story (see Finding the Right Journalist).
In the case of a planned event (such as an employee walk-out or protest) that has not yet been publicized, whistleblowers can also choose to share embargoed information with the press.
Example: When Chris Smalls was planning an employee walkout to demand better health protections from Amazon amid COVID-19, he first contacted the media to tease the news. “I knew the media was not going to come see us unless I went drastic . . . So I actually worked in reverse,” he said. “I said I was gonna do the walkout, and then I started actually planning.”
Sources can also tap organizations such as Lioness or the Freedom of the Press Foundation to securely connect with journalists.
Disclosing information independently
Some whistleblowers prefer to first share their stories in their own words, often through a blog post, memo, or open letter to the people or employer involved. This path gives power to the source, allowing them to be very deliberate in how their story is told. It also allows them to share information that media outlets may decline to publish or that is outside of their editorial wheelhouse. Furthermore, it is immediate, whereas a media story can take months to reach the public eye.
Example: At the peak of her pregnancy discrimination battle at Google, Chelsey Glasson anonymously published a memo on an internal message board, titled “I’m Not Returning to Google After Maternity Leave, and Here is Why,” which was soon shared with Vice.
Whistleblowers can also use personal blog sites, social media platforms, or sites like Medium to self-publish their stories. However, self-publication eliminates the professional fact-checking, vetting, and corroboration of storylines that comes with an established media outlet.
“The external reporting process lends so much credibility to the person, whereas a tweetstorm feels a little more emotionally charged.” Lioness Founder and CEO Ariella Steinhorn
Note: Whistleblowers who choose to publish an internal memo should be prepared for that memo to be shared with the press. If a journalist reaches out for comment about a memo, a source has the right to either speak with the journalist or deny the request.
Being approached by journalists
In some cases, when journalists catch wind of controversy at a particular company, they research its employees in hopes of gleaning their perspectives. Journalists use PR agencies, open records requests, social media platforms, and other resources to identify the subjects closest to the controversy, then reach out via e-mail, phone, text, or social media for an interview.
If approached by one or more journalists, sources — especially those who have never spoken to the media before — should take caution in responding to interview requests. It is best practice to research the journalist, their body of work, and their target audience before agreeing to speak on the record. For details on navigating media interview requests, see Participating in an Interview.
