Leaks, whistleblowing and the public interest: the law of unauthorised disclosures

摘要

In 1998, the UK's Public Interest Disclosure Act became law. It has been praised by some as a model and criticised by others as inadequate. So what is the situation for UK whistle-blowers, those employees who make disclosures about fraud, malpractice and other problems within organisations? If whistleblowers are adequately protected against reprisals, employees are more likely to report problems, thus benefiting the public interest. If not, then problems will fester, and some whistleblowers may decide to take their concerns to journalists or activists. What is the state of play?