whistleblower
Corporate misconduct reporter
A whistleblower is someone who exposes wrongdoing, fraud, or illegal activity within an organization, typically one they work for or have inside knowledge of.
The term evokes the image of a referee blowing a whistle to stop play when rules are violated.
Whistleblowers often face retaliation despite legal protections designed to shield them: The whistleblower leaked documents showing the company had falsified safety reports.
The word can be spelled as one word or hyphenated.
Escape through a breach
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- uncoverReveal what's hidden
testimony · evidence · misconduct · corruption · coverup · wrongdoing · fraud · abuse
Journalist exposing corruption
- investigativeDevoted to examination
- reporterOne who gathers news
- sourcePoint of origin
- watchdogGuard or monitor
story · scoop · exposé · press · media · interview · editor · publish
Moral soundness and consistency
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
- dutyRequired moral task
accountability · transparency · honesty · responsibility · truthfulness · justice · honor · uprightness
Intentional criminal trickery
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- graftIllicit political gain
kickback · nepotism · malpractice · misappropriation · extortion · cronyism · abuse of power · coverup
One who discloses secrets
- tipsterOne who shares predictions
- sourcePoint of origin
- insiderOne with confidential access
- informerOne who reveals secrets
snitch · mole · deep throat · defector · turncoat · rat · squealer · tattletale
Boldness before danger
- valorCourage in danger
- heroismExceptional courage under duress
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- boldnessFearless readiness to act
fearlessness · daring · audacity · conviction · resolve · tenacity · steadfast · sacrifice
Shelter from persecution
- immunityProtected from harm
- anonymityUnknown identity state
- safeguardPrecaution against harm
- refugePlace of safety
sanctuary · legislation · legal · hotline · ombudsman · advocate · attorney · support
Formally marking for rejection
- threatsDeclarations of intended harm
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- firingTerminating employment
- harassmentAggressive, unwanted targeting
ostracism · reprisal · silencing · persecution · smear campaign · demotion · surveillance · lawsuit
leak
Escape through a breach
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
uncover · testimony · evidence · misconduct · corruption · coverup · wrongdoing · fraud · abuse · documents
muckraker
Journalist exposing corruption
- investigativeDevoted to examination
- reporterOne who gathers news
- sourcePoint of origin
watchdog · story · scoop · exposé · press · media · interview · editor · publish · headline
integrity
Moral soundness and consistency
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
duty · accountability · transparency · honesty · responsibility · truthfulness · justice · honor · uprightness · rectitude
fraud
Intentional criminal trickery
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
graft · kickback · nepotism · malpractice · misappropriation · extortion · cronyism · abuse of power · coverup · waste
leaker
One who discloses secrets
informer · snitch · mole · deep throat · defector · turncoat · rat · squealer · tattletale · witness
bravery
Boldness before danger
boldness · fearlessness · daring · audacity · conviction · resolve · tenacity · steadfast · sacrifice · backbone
asylum
Shelter from persecution
refuge · sanctuary · legislation · legal · hotline · ombudsman · advocate · attorney · support · relocation
blacklisting
Formally marking for rejection
- threatsDeclarations of intended harm
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- firingTerminating employment
harassment · ostracism · reprisal · silencing · persecution · smear campaign · demotion · surveillance · lawsuit · gag order
- journalismreporters, interview, editors, student editors, school paper
- secrecysecrecy, secret, secrets, confidential, classified
- complianceaudit, obeying, policy, compliance officer, regulation
- HR compliancesafety training, harassment policy, ethics code, background check, drug testing
- oversightoversight committees, oversight board, review, auditors, supervisor
- truth revealerstruth teller, straight shooter, straight talker, eyewitness, informant
whistleblowerloyalist
Faithful supporter of authority
company man · team player · yes-man · bystander · enabler
whistleblowerperpetrator
One who commits wrongdoing
wrongdoer · corrupt official · fraudster · embezzler · criminal
- whistleblowing policiesRules protecting misconduct reporters
- whistleblower protectionLaws shielding those who report misconduct
- whistleblower lawsRules protecting those reporting misconduct
- whistleblower retaliationPunishing those who report misconduct