The Negative Criticism Of Whistleblower

Whistleblowers have made headlines in media for much of modern American history. The viewpoints regarding whistleblowers are conflicted: some view them as heroes who rightfully expose government truths while others see them as criminals that should be punished with the fullest extend of the law. In fact, according to the “Whistleblowers” article in the Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, “many whistleblowers are considered renegades or even traitors, and they may suffer both legally and in terms of their reputations.” In reality, however, whistleblowing informs the public that not everything is how it seems and calls for recognition of these problems. Despite many negative criticism toward these whistleblowers, in the course of history, they
Some whistleblowers expose the truths through their writings. “Such writers are often called muckrakers since they figuratively dive into the mud and reveal the dirty side of established business practices.” (“Whistleblowers”). In one of the leading examples of muckrakers, Upton Sinclair and his novel, The Jungle, ”exposed some of the filthy conditions and practices of the meatpacking industry” and thus fought for the right of the common worker and the safety of the public. During the era in which these conditions took place, workers were not given voice and their concerns were listened to cursorily by their employers. Sinclair, on the other hand, helped bring these concerns into light. Following the publication of his novel, Americans became both aware and repulsed with the conditions of factories and a drastic change was implemented. Without Sinclair, this gruesome condition of the factories and worker safety would persist, putting many lives in danger. Because whistleblowing such as in the case of Sinclair can ultimately positively affect the public’s safety, whistleblowers should be more