Whistle blowing is a very sensitive issue, it simply means reporting a crime, wrongdoing or unethical behaviour that you have witnessed especially when it involves people in power. A whistle blower is someone who decides to speak up even when it is risky because they believe that silence will only allow evil to grow.
While many people agree that corruption and crime are destroying the country but very few are willing to be the ones who speak out. These cases can be in form of corruption at work, exam malpractice in school, police extortion on the road or the diversion of public funds meant for the community.
One major reason whistle blowing is difficult is fear. People fear losing their jobs, being threatened, being arrested or even losing their lives. Sadly, these fears are not imaginary. I have seen cases where people who exposed wrongdoing ended up suffering more than the criminals they reported so because of this, people believe that whistle blowing is a good idea in theory but dangerous in these present world.
However, the truth remains that without whistle blowers, many crimes would never be exposed because corruption thrives in silence. When everyone chooses to look away or say “it does not concern me", bad people become bolder. Funds meant for hospitals disappear, roads are left uncompleted, salaries are unpaid and the poor continue to suffer. Whistle blowing plays an important role in building a just and accountable society.
On one hand, it is the moral obligation of every citizen to represent the right thing. When we are all unwilling to report crimes then we are in a way perpetrating crimes.
Whistle blowing needs to be effective in every country and that is why the government and authorities should take formidable measures in ensuring that whistle blowers are not victimized. To begin with, there should be effective laws that can ensure their safety. These laws ought to guard whistle blowers against their termination, arrest or being harassed without justice.
With the knowledge that the law is on our side, people will be more convinced to speak out.
Also whistle blowers ought to be given freedom to report crimes anonymously. There are numerous individuals with precious information and they fear to come out. This can be addressed by having secure and confidential ways of reporting including secured phone lines and web based platforms. In case the whistle blower is aware that the name will not be disclosed and the fear will decline.
Anyone who also acts to threaten and harm a whistle blower should face some real consequences. The promise is not sufficient since the authorities need to take action when the protection is breached. The threat of intimidation and vengeance will be discouraged when the offenders realize that the whistle blowers are being taken seriously and aggressively defended.
Proper investigation is also very essential. The law enforcers should make sure that all whistle blowers are authentic. This is required since defamation of innocent lives by making false accusations is real too and most times it is done to cause personal revenge.
To prevent such, reports must be thoroughly investigated before any action is taken to the general public. Facts should be confirmed, examined evidence searched and witnesses interviewed. In this manner, the real whistle blowers are safeguarded whereas the bad ones are put behind bars.
Simultaneously, whistle blowers should not be punished or frustrated in the course of the interview process. In some cases, influential individuals may attempt to use the system to fight their whistle blowers.
That is why the investigations have to be dealt with by independent organizations which are not politically influenced because transparency is key.
Besides that, whistle blowers should be offered incentives, to encourage them and others. Government also should come up with monetary incentives to whistle blowers who reported big cases of corruption. Although money should not be the primary reason, the risks involved can be compensated through rewards as a way of appreciation. Nevertheless, rewards can be delivered only upon the adequate investigation that proves the report.
We often believe and regard whistle blowers as traitors, trouble makers or snitches in our communities. This mindset is dangerous and it has affected us, we should be taught to regard the whistle blowers as people who are concerned about justice and common good.
With that, more people will gain courage to speak. The society should positively encourage whistle blowers rather than criticizing them.
Whistle blowing does not come easy especially in a country where people do not trust systems. Nevertheless, it has been one of the strongest instruments of combating corruption and crime. Although not all people can make that brave step but the ones that do must never be alone.
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