Don’t Let The Truth Get Snowden: Why United States And International Whistleblowing Laws And Protections Need Reform

This thesis will examine the historical and modern significance of whistleblowing as an essential act of democracy and accountability in the United States. Various case studies, court cases, and scholarly articles will be referenced to outline the societal value of whistleblowing and the relevant laws across the nation. In order to get a holistic view of whistleblowing in the United States, research focused on the physical and psychological impacts of facing corruption in the workplace, whistleblowing as a result of poor organizational ethics, and the retaliation faced by some individuals who expose fraudulent behavior. This thesis hopes to combine the legal background of whistleblowing and the impacts that whistleblowers face after the fact with the current legal protections afforded to whistleblowers to help determine if legislative reform is necessary to protect whistleblowers and mitigate negative consequences in the future.