whistleblown
Revealed hidden wrongdoing
Whistleblown is the past participle of whistleblow, meaning to have exposed wrongdoing within an organization.
The term derives from the idea of blowing a whistle to alert others to misconduct.
The scandal was whistleblown by a former employee who leaked documents to journalists.
The word is relatively uncommon; most usage favors the noun whistleblower or the phrase "blow the whistle on."
Escaped through opening
- revealedMade visible or known
- disclosedMade previously hidden known
- uncoveredMade visible or known
- unearthedRetrieved from the ground
unveiled · publicized · divulged · reported · exposed · broadcast · announced · unmasked
Dishonest abuse of power
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- misconductImproper professional behavior
cover-up · scandal · malfeasance · abuse · violations · negligence · safety hazards · malpractice
NSA contractor turned fugitive
- FeltPast tense of feel
- informantOne who provides intelligence
- sourcePoint of origin
- insiderOne with confidential access
Serpico · leaker · tipster · witness · Deep Throat · plaintiff
State of being see-through
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- reformImprove by correcting faults
- investigationFormal examination of facts
- inquiryRequest for information
audit · prosecution · justice · regulation · compliance · checks and balances · public interest · watchdog
Formally excluded or barred
- firedTerminated from employment
- demotedReduced in rank
- ostracizedExcluded from a group
- silencedRendered unable to speak
persecuted · harassed · intimidated · marginalized · scapegoated · punished · terminated · discredited
Showing courage despite fear
- heroicExceptionally brave and noble
- principledHaving strong moral beliefs
- conscientiousScrupulously careful and thorough
- defiantOpenly resisting control
resolute · steadfast · determined · gutsy · bold · righteous · self-sacrificing · truth-telling
leaked
Escaped through opening
unearthed · unveiled · publicized · divulged · reported · exposed · broadcast · announced · unmasked · brought to light
corruption
Dishonest abuse of power
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
misconduct · cover-up · scandal · malfeasance · abuse · violations · negligence · safety hazards · malpractice · kickbacks
Snowden
NSA contractor turned fugitive
Serpico · insider · leaker · tipster · witness · Deep Throat · plaintiff
transparency
State of being see-through
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- reformImprove by correcting faults
- investigationFormal examination of facts
inquiry · audit · prosecution · justice · regulation · compliance · checks and balances · public interest · watchdog · sunshine laws
blacklisted
Formally excluded or barred
- firedTerminated from employment
- demotedReduced in rank
- ostracizedExcluded from a group
silenced · persecuted · harassed · intimidated · marginalized · scapegoated · punished · terminated · discredited · smeared
brave
Showing courage despite fear
- heroicExceptionally brave and noble
- principledHaving strong moral beliefs
- conscientiousScrupulously careful and thorough
defiant · resolute · steadfast · determined · gutsy · bold · righteous · self-sacrificing · truth-telling · risk-taking
whistleblowncovered up
concealed · suppressed · hushed up · hidden · buried
- whistleblowing policiesRules protecting misconduct reporters
- whistleblower protectionLaws shielding those who report misconduct
- whistleblower lawsRules protecting those reporting misconduct
- whistleblower retaliationPunishing those who report misconduct
whistleblowing, whistleblower, whistleblowers, whistleblows, whistleblow