The Anti-Corruption Plain Language Guide - Transparency ...

Whistle Blowing
Definition
The sounding of an alarm by an employee, director, or external person, in an attempt to
reveal neglect or abuses within the activities of an organisation, government body or
company (or one of its business partners) that threaten public interest, its integrity and
reputation. 75
The term in English is largely positive although many languages lack a similar concept with
the same connotation.
Example in practice
In 2006, advocate Jeanetha Brink blew the whistle on fraud occurring in the South African
province of Guateng. According to her claims, the local anti-corruption hot line was not
investigating tip-offs and was derailing investigations of cases against senior government
officials. As a result of her charges, she was relieved of her duties and forced to resign. In
2008, a court declared her resignation was coerced and she was awarded compensation. 76
Relevant links
—— Governmental Accountability Project.
www.whistleblower.org
—— The National Whistleblowers Center.
www.whistleblowers.org
—— Open Democracy Advice Centre.
www.opendemocracy.org.za
—— TIME Magazine, Persons of the Year 2002 (The Whistleblowers).
www.time.com/time/subscriber/personoftheyear/2002/poyintro.html
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TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL PLAIN LANGUAGE GUIDE - JULY 2009