Whistleblowers

The CIJ provides confidential and discreet support and advice to anyone considering alerting the public or the authorities to unethical, abusive, incompetent or criminal activities.

In December 2012, the organisation set up to support whistleblowers - Whistleblowers UK - was officially launched. Whistleblowers UK (WBUK) is an organisation set up by whistleblowers and their supporters to provide advice and support to those who are considering acting on their conscience. It was set up with the support of the CIJ. You can read the full press release or find out more on the WBUK website.

Blowing the Whistle
Before doing anything, read our guidance for whitleblowers and make sure you are protecting yourself.

Julian Assange - Guide to Whistleblowing
In this video, recorded especially for the CIJ, Julian Assange explains how potential whistleblowers should approach Wikileaks, friendly journalists and other outlets.

Daniel Ellsberg - Guide for Whistleblowers
Probably the most famous US whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, released a top secret Pentagon history of the Vietnam War. In this video, recorded especially for the CIJ, he offers guidance to whistleblowers and talks about his reasons for going public and breaking the law.

Whistleblowers in the News

The Whistleblowers Club - FT article (pdf)
15 September 2012
The Financial Times recently ran a feature on whistleblowering, some of the people interviewed have spoken at previous CIJ Summer Schools.

CIJ Talks by Whistleblowers

Dr Phil Hammond GP: What's Wrong with the NHS?
At the 2012 Summer School Dr Phil Hammond GP spoke about whistleblowing as part of his keynote talk

The theme for the 2011 Summer School was whistleblowing and below are recordings of some of the talks.

Medical Whistleblowers
A panel discussion with Margaret Haywood, Eileen Chubb and Terry Bryan who talk about what it means to be a whistleblower in the medical profession.

WikiLeaks
Kristinn Hrafnsson, the spokesperson for Wikileaks was a keynote speaker at the school and has a close working knowledge of the plans, methods and structures of the organisation.

The Secret State and its Control of the Media
Former MI5 intelligence officer and whistleblower,  Annie Machon looks at how the security services use and manipulate the press in the second keynote talk.

Sex Trafficking, Military Contractors and One Woman’s Fight For Justice
Former DynCorp officer and US policewoman Kathryn Bolkovac blew the whistle on the UN police who were guilty of sex crimes, forced prostitution and sex slavery, here she talks about her experince in the final keynote talk. The film of Kathryn's story: The Whistleblower, was screened at the 2012 CIJ Film Week.

Whistleblowing and the Law
Gavin Millar QC and Dr Andrew Scott explain the law surrounding whistleblowing, looking at issues facing journalists pre-publication as well as the legal proceedings which may follow.

Whistleblowing and the EU
Hans Martin Tillack looks at problems faced by whistleblowers working inside EU institutions. He examines difficulties that journalists who work with these whistleblowers might face and considers the options for overcoming them.