Journalism and Whistleblowing: An Important Tool to Protect Human Rights, Fight Corruption, and Strengthen Democracy

This paper by Eduardo Bertoni is part of the UNESCO series World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development. It looks at the relationship between journalism and whistleblowers as mutually beneficial and an important tool to protect human rights, fight Corruption, and strengthen Democracy. The paper provides a survey of legal definitions and protections for whistleblowers in jurisdictions around the world. It concludes with good practices and recommendations for improving the protection of whistleblowing by supporting laws, regulations, technologies, and training, among which are:

Promoting and/or strengthening laws and practices that allow for the protection of whistleblower’s identity if they choose; regulations, laws, and practices that will enable journalists to keep confidential their sources of information; technologies that allow whistleblowers to file complaints without revealing their identity; organizations in different parts of the world specialized in giving legal and other support to whistleblowers before or after their statements; journalist training to advise whistleblowers; international standards that oblige States to adopt adequate legislation to advance incentives and avoid negative consequences for disclosures of whistleblowers; legislation that prevents unjustified lawsuits against a whistleblower for their statements and increased dialogue between journalism groups and whistleblowers’ defenders to understand better their roles, responsibilities, and ways to strengthen Democracy and the rule of law.