What is whistleblowing?
Whistleblowing means speaking up when you witness serious wrongdoing that may harm the public interest or violate legal or ethical standards. It refers to the act of reporting misconduct or breaches of law that happen in a professional context, whether in the public or private sector, such as a public office, a private company, a school, a hospital, or any other organisation.
The person who reports is called a whistleblower. And they don’t have to be an employee: trainees, former workers, contractors, consultants, job applicants, volunteers, shareholders, board members, and suppliers can all be whistleblowers, as long as they report something they discovered through their work relationship.
Whistleblowing reports have to concern issues that affect the public. Think corruption in public contracts, fraud in financial services, threats to health or the environment, unsafe products, or misuse of personal data. EU law sets out the main areas, like public procurement, money laundering, consumer rights, cybersecurity, and more. Some countries go even further, allowing reports about violations of internal rules, ethical codes, or any behaviour that seriously harms people or public trust.
In the European Union, whistleblowers are protected by Directive 2019/1937, which establishes minimum standards for safe reporting and defines the rights of those who speak up. There are three main ways to report: internally through the organisation’s official reporting channel(s); externally by contacting the national authority responsible for whistleblowing; or, in very specific cases, by making a public disclosure, for example by informing the media or posting the information online. This option is allowed only under specific conditions: when other channels fail or there’s an urgent threat to the public interest. The Directive requires all public bodies and private companies with more than 50 employees (or operating in certain sectors) to set up secure and accessible internal channels.
Whistleblowers often face risks such as professional isolation, harassment, or damage to their reputation. For this reason, those who report are entitled to strong legal protection. This includes confidentiality, protection from retaliation, access to legal remedies, possible compensation, and access to support services like legal or psychological assistance. Still, in many places, cultural attitudes may discourage whistleblowing, framing it as betrayal instead of recognising it as a civic responsibility. That’s why raising awareness, building safe systems, and creating a speak-up culture is so important.
When respected and protected, whistleblowers play a vital role in strengthening transparency, accountability, and public integrity. They help uncover harmful practices that might otherwise remain hidden. Their reporting prevents further damage, saves public money, protects people’s rights, and contributes to building a fairer and more responsible communities. When people feel safe to speak up, the whole society benefits.
