Who are the Most Significant Whistleblowers in Global Business?

The history of whistleblowers in global international business dates back centuries, with examples of individuals reporting corrupt and unethical practices in both the public and private sectors. Here are some key milestones in the history of whistleblowers in international business:

1777: The United States Congress passed the first whistleblower protection law, the Continental Navy Act. The act protected whistleblowers who reported misconduct by naval officers.

1863: During the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed the False Claims Act, which allowed whistleblowers to sue contractors who defrauded the government.

1971: Daniel Ellsberg, a former United States military analyst, leaked classified documents known as the Pentagon Papers to the press. The documents revealed government deceit about the Vietnam War, leading to widespread public outrage.

1978: The United States Congress passed the Civil Service Reform Act, which included protections for federal employees who reported misconduct.

1992: Jeffrey Wigand, a former executive of a tobacco company, blew the whistle on the company’s efforts to hide the health risks of smoking. His story was the basis of the movie “The Insider.”

2002: In the wake of the Enron scandal, the United States Congress passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which included protections for whistleblowers who reported corporate fraud.

2010: Chelsea Manning, a former United States Army intelligence analyst, leaked classified documents to WikiLeaks, revealing war crimes committed by U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

2013: Edward Snowden, a former contractor for the United States government, leaked classified documents revealing the extent of government surveillance on its citizens.

These are just a few examples of whistleblowers who have made significant contributions to exposing corruption and unethical behavior in international business. However, whistleblowers have faced significant challenges throughout history, including retaliation, defamation, and legal action.

In recent years, there has been an increased recognition of the importance of whistleblowers in promoting transparency and accountability in international business. Many countries have passed laws to protect whistleblowers, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. International organizations such as the United Nations and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have also called for greater protections for whistleblowers.

Despite these developments, whistleblowers continue to face significant challenges, including the risk of retaliation and the lack of legal protections in some countries. Nevertheless, whistleblowers remain an essential part of promoting transparency and accountability in international business, and their contributions should be recognized and protected.