Resources For Allies
Together we must fight for democracy.
Civil society organizations, journalists and the faith community committed to fighting for democracy and accountability are critical allies to whistleblowers.
Advocacy organizations use the power of information to hold the government accountable and prevent further wrongdoing. Journalists hold institutions accountable by publishing verified information about abuses of power to create an informed and engaged citizenry. Faith leaders who provide moral validation and support to brave truthtellers perform a powerful and essential role in the democratic process.
By working closely with these and other stakeholders, our Democracy Protection Initiative provides valuable advice to allies that may be approached by whistleblowers with important information about threats to election integrity or other abuses but who need expert legal support and counsel to minimize the risk of reprisal. In turn, our close partnerships with these allies and experts working to protect elections and democracy offer whistleblowers assurance that their disclosures will make a difference.
Government Accountability Project and its Democracy Protection Initiative have developed several free resources to help advocacy organizations, journalists and faith leaders work effectively with whistleblowers. They are neither comprehensive nor should be construed as offering legal advice.
For Advocacy Organizations
Text: Whistleblowers provide vital information that advocacy organizations fighting to advance democracy can use to hold institutions and leaders accountable. Many organizations and activists are interested in the information whistleblowers offer but are not in the business of representing whistleblowers or providing advice about their rights, risks and options for disclosure. Whether your organization is actively soliciting information from whistleblowers, or if an employee approaches your organization with evidence of serious wrongdoing, understand that the legal landscape of whistleblowing is complicated, and the risk of retaliation is high. Advocacy organizations have a responsibility to protect whistleblowers by understanding risks and using best practices.
For Journalists
The partnership between whistleblowers and journalists is essential to a functioning democracy. The power of whistleblowers to hold institutions and leaders accountable often depends on the critical work of journalists who verify whistleblowers’ disclosures and bring them to the public.
However, whistleblowers who reach out to journalists with information generally aren’t activists. They are typical employees who have tried to raise concerns with their management and were frustrated by the response and perhaps harassed. However, because of their unique knowledge, they pose a threat to their employers and are especially vulnerable to reprisal.
Journalists need to understand not only the value of a whistleblower’s information but also the challenges and risks faced by sources who are employees. Our free guide seeks to empower and protect journalists and their whistleblower sources by sharing critical information about their shared goals, responsibilities and challenges.
Faith Leaders: Bearing Witness
Bearing Witness is a dedicated project of the Democracy Protection Initiative that offers important new resources for faith leaders and faith communities to help you responsibly support those called by their faith and moral courage to speak out about government wrongdoing and abuses of power they witness in the workplace.
Many who witness immoral, unethical and illegal acts in government-associated workplaces will turn to clergy who, bound by strict legal and moral confidentiality, serve as important confidants. These situations are complex, and clergy need to be empowered and prepared to responsibly offer support to individuals seeking guidance about whether and how to report wrongdoing. Likewise, whistleblowers need their faith communities’ understanding and support for the essential role they play as catalysts of accountability and justice.
The validation and support of the vital role whistleblowers play in upholding democracy by reporting serious misconduct is powerful and essential, as is wise counsel. Bearing Witness offers free and reliable resources to clergy, faith leaders and faith communities so they can provide responsible support and connect potential whistleblowers with experts. The call to bear witness is nonpartisan, multifaith, and essential to a just world.