whistle-blower

Definitions

One who reports a problem or violation to the authorities; especially, an employee or former employee who reports a violation by an employer.

US, slang

Equivalents

Examples

“We owe⟳ it to a small group of brave whistle-blowers that we know⟳ about the infractions at all.”

“As my study⟳ proceeded, I began to see⟳ that an investigation of organizational morality should also explore⟳ managerial dissenters, so-called whistleblowers, many of whom take⟳ stands against their organizations on grounds that they define⟳ as moral.”

“Usually the whistleblower is not fired outright. The organization's goal is to disconnect the act of whistleblowing from the act of retaliation, which is why so much legislation to protect⟳ whistleblowers is practically irrelevant. The usual practice is to demoralize and humiliate the whistleblower, putting him or her under so much psychological stress⟳ that it becomes difficult to do a good job.”

“The huge breach of the National Security Agency’s domestic surveillance program⟳ in June 2013 was one of the proudest moments in modern journalism, and one of the purest: A brave and disgusted whistle-blower, Edward Snowden, revealed the government’s extensive surveillance of American and foreign citizens.”

CEFR level