Today, Explained It's not easy whistleblowin'
Oct 2, 2019
Allison Stanger, a professor at Middlebury and author of "Whistleblowers," dives into the perilous world of whistleblowing. She discusses the legal obstacles and the chilling effects of political backlash that whistleblowers face today. The conversation highlights a significant case involving a whistleblower's report about presidential conduct, shedding light on the struggle for justice within the system. Stanger also traces the historical significance of whistleblowing in America, revealing a complex landscape where whistleblowers are viewed as both heroes and victims.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
America's First Whistleblower Protection
- The first whistleblower protection law, passed in 1778, protected sailors who reported Commodore Hopkins for torturing British POWs.
- Congress paid their legal fees and made records public, demonstrating early support for whistleblowers.
Duty to Report
- Early whistleblowing laws emphasized a citizen's duty to report misconduct.
- Daniel Ellsberg, of Pentagon Papers fame, exemplified this by revealing government lies about the Vietnam War.
Watergate Parallels
- Both Watergate and the current situation involve Attorneys General potentially serving the president over the law.
- Unlike Nixon's era of secrecy, Trump's presidency is marked by a lack of shame.
