Whistleblower Intentions
Just as journalists may sometimes have unethical motivations for pursuing a story, whistleblowers can have unethical intentions for coming forward. Whistleblowing is not appropriate in the following scenarios: Sharing information that is not rooted in fact but based on a hunch, or sharing information without necessary context — It is crucial for a whistleblower to […]
Reporting Internally & Being Retaliated Against at Work
Checklist Safely test how issues are perceived internally, which is covered in the “Working with Colleagues” section. Be cautious of company lawyers. “The attorney was picked by the company, is paid for by the company, and knows where his or her next (very large) paycheck is coming from.” Stephen Martin Kohn, The New Whistleblower’s Handbook: […]
Journalist-Whistleblower Relationships
Journalists are advised to maintain professional relationships with sources and to minimize all personal conversation or contact that could compromise the reporting process. Romantic or sexual relationships are considered to be particularly unethical and can jeopardize the credibility of both the journalist and the whistleblower. Example Journalist Christie Smyth was covering white-collar crime for Bloomberg […]
Whistleblowing Reward Programs
There are some instances where a whistleblower could potentially receive a monetary reward from the government for exposing certain wrongdoing, usually a percentage of funds recovered by the government from the company, as mandated by federal and state laws. These programs fall under various US federal and state agencies depending on the issue and the […]
Important to Know
Knowing what information you should and should not share with the media is critical to having productive conversations that result in a well-told story. Therefore, a number of common misconceptions must be addressed: Anonymity is never 100% guaranteed Journalists can grant anonymity to a source who hopes to protect their identity when sharing information on […]
Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
Talking to a lawyer about private company matters is never a breach of your NDA. What you say to a lawyer, from your first words, is protected by the client-attorney privilege.” Mary Inman, Partner at Constantine Cannon LLP “It is not always safe to communicate government misconduct to your lawyer. It is especially risky to […]
Standards
To work effectively with the press, a whistleblower must understand the ethical guidelines journalists are trained to follow. Standards vary by media outlet, but the following principles lay the groundwork for how reporters are expected to conduct themselves. Source: Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics Seek truth and accuracy. Above all else, ethical and […]
Working with Regulators
In many instances it will be important to involve a regulator during the process of speaking out. A regulator is someone who works at a local, state, or federal agency who oversees your company’s compliance with certain laws and regulations. If you disclose information to a regulator with or without a rewards program (e.g., SEC, […]
Waiting for Publication (and What to Do Post-Publication)
After the initial interview, a reporter is likely to take time to assess the information and set up interviews with other sources to better understand all sides of the story. The reporter will work with their editor and other staff to fact-check and ensure credibility, and may ask to speak with you again (possibly several […]
Working with the US Congress or UK Parliament
If you believe a federal law may have been violated by your company’s practice, there may be reason to involve Congress. While members of congress can be some of your most powerful allies, working with them can be a confusing process with long delays and high stakes, so the information below is meant to provide […]
