Whistleblowing - a. Bringing an activity to a sharp conclusion as if by the blast of a whistle (OED) b. Raising concerns about misconduct within an organisation or within an independent structure associated with it (Nolan Committee) c. Giving information (usually to the authorities) about illegal or underhand practices (Chambers) d. Exposing to the press a malpractice or cover-up in a business or government office (US, Brewers) e. Providing a safe alternative to silence (Public Concern at Work) f. (origins) Police constable summoning public help to apprehend a criminal; signal to stop work in the industrial age; referee stopping play after a foul in football.
Source: Public Concern at Work (PCaW) - Whistleblowing: making whistleblowing work
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