Tuesday, April 26, 2016

What is the Difference Between Whistleblowers and Leakers?

The distinction between whistleblowers and leakers can be essential in prosecuting those who release classified information. Vice author Joseph Bien-Kahn uses WikiLeaks as an example in demonstrating the importance of classification. If WikiLeaks presents itself as a journalistic platform, by definition it is protected under the First Amendment (freedom of the press), however if the federal government can frame WikiLeaks as a staff that helps leakers as opposed to helping whistleblowers, it has grounds to prosecute under the Espionage Act of 1917, (2015).

So what is the distinction between leakers and whistleblowers? What makes one illegal and one more or less accepted?

Cybercollege defines both,"Whistleblowing was intended to legally protect those who expose illegal and immoral activities. An example of leaking is bringing to light protected corporate or government information. For example exposing trade secrets. Few would argue that this is not necessary in today's world," (2016).

Based on this, whistleblowers are those that selflessly and much to their own detriment reveal information, knowing what danger lies ahead in doing so, in order to draw attention to illegal acts threatening the well-being of the nation. Leakers on the other hand are those that divulge large amounts of information with often no harm to themselves, and often with selfish motives at heart as David Sirota of Salon writes, ( Salon, 2012). Sirota outlines how government administrations have utilized the act of leaking in order to gain positive attention from the media.

The line between the two is often blurred, whistleblowers being condemned as performing illegal acts and leakers, often foregoing scrutiny. Whether one is better than the other, one the hero and one the villain, can not be decided solely based on the act. The motive behind the act of releasing information has to be evaluated.

The terms are often used interchangeably, Edward Snowden has been referred to as both a whistleblower and a leaker. According to the Guardian who repeatedly referred to him as, "the whistleblower behind NSA surveillance revelations," as well as the definitions provided above, it would seem that he should be classified as a whistleblower as he sacrificed his own well-being for the greater good of the American people, (Washington Post, 2013).


With the evolution of information distribution and public opinion, the line between whistleblowing and leaking is becoming more blurred.



Sources: http://www.vice.com/read/whats-the-difference-between-a-leaker-and-a-whistleblower-217
               http://www.cybercollege.com/whistleblowing.htm
               https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2013/06/10/edward-snowden-leaker-source-or-whistleblower/

1 comment:

  1. I think you mentioned a really crucial point, that the line between whistleblowing and leaking is becoming blurred especially across these past leaks. I do like the distinctions you made between them and I am going to try to be more cautious as I use the two words interchangeably as well without thinking about the meaning of the two words.

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