Dancing the Cha-Cha-Cha of whistleblower protection

by Dr Christian Hauser

Whistleblower protection has come a long way. Just over a decade ago, the idea of protecting those who dared to speak up against corruption and wrongdoing was controversial in many parts of the world. Today, almost 60 countries have enacted whistleblower protection laws, and countless private sector organisations have adopted mechanisms to encourage and facilitate whistleblowing. But despite this visible progress, questions remain: are these structures really effective? Or are they merely ticking boxes, while those speaking up against corruption and wrongdoing still face the full force of retaliation?