Should the government pass laws which protect whistleblowers?
A whistle blower is a person who exposes secretive information exposes an illegal act. In 1998 Parliament passed the Public Disclosure Act which protects whistleblowers from punishment by their employer. The act was notable in that it protected whistle blowers who had signed a non-disclosure agreement with their employer.
@9GHFFBN5mos5MO
Yes, but only if the information pertains to breach of UK laws, or international treaties/agreements/laws/organisations the UK is party to
@9G5MCLJ6mos6MO
Whistleblowers should be protected. If the information was obtained illegally, sentence them but with reduced sentences. If the information does threaten national security, it depends on the situation whether they are protected or not.
@9DSC38J7mos7MO
It depends on the illegal act
@9DLN48B7mos7MO
It would depend a lot on the specific instances. Whistle blowing deemed unnecessary should have consequences
@9D2G5NJ8mos8MO
Yes but ensure private investigations are launched to ensure the information revealed to pubic by whistle-blower is true. If information revealed by whistle-blowers is false ensure charges can be pressed
@9CYFBXS8mos8MO
Depends on nature of issue
@94KTJLG2yrs2Y
Only if the concern was genuine and was not a case of, "someone dared tell a joke" or "someone expressed an opinion which I don't like."
@94CKMVN2yrs2Y
We already have legislation. It just isn’t enforced. Whistleblowers are victimised, not supported.
@8SQV9TV3yrs3Y
Yes if it was legally obtained and if it doesn’t threaten our national security
@8SQSZL63yrs3Y
No, a non disclosure agreement is a contract based on trust and for someone to break said trust after having signed a legally binding document, they should not be protected. If there is a chance they might speak simply refuse to sign the document
@9FRFHMS6mos6MO
Neither, whistleblowers should be encouraged if it’s sincere, at if so protected by public but it’s a part of society mainly used against a government or private entity, equal justice under law.
Whistleblowers take a risk and should be praised if they brought forward information
sincerely but sadly many are bound by legal contracts including private contracts (which should be reviewed by government oversight) or national security (official secrets act) but they should have the right to defend themselves in a court of their peers if vindicated people should have the right to form… Read more
@9BMH5RL11mos11MO
I don't think it requires government intervention
@99M4MJS1yr1Y
The government should be dissolved with immediate effect.
@99DHHB91yr1Y
Yes, for legally obtained information which doesn’t threaten national security.
@98HSMYY1yr1Y
yes but the information should be confirmed as true.
@9866KWG1yr1Y
The government should not be able to prosecute
There should be an official channel with an independent authority to verify and release information while allowing whistle-blowers to keep their identies secret, furthermore all whistle blows must be made public without redaction (only comment).
@97GYB8R1yr1Y
@96SMGRP1yr1Y
Whistle blowing can annoy some people so I suggest they do it inside I know there’s a Ukrainian saying that if you whistle you’ll have no money but it’s either have no money or don’t whistle
Yes, but only if releasing the information does not threaten our national security, and have a separate governing body which will determine whether it will affect the national security.
@95DGGLCConservative2yrs2Y
Yes, the state should not punish people.for releasing information which is in the public interest, even if that information was obtained illegally.
yes but only if the information is proof of illegal activity
@93V8XL52yrs2Y
Yes, but only if the information is backed up with verified proof.
@93M6LDS2yrs2Y
Yes, provided that the information they provided, or in providing the information, they have a risk to their/loved ones lives.
@92V5C5L2yrs2Y
Yes if the information is released to the public
@923QQQ6Liberal Democrat2yrs2Y
Yes, but only if the information does not threaten the life or lives of individuals
@8YYZZWP2yrs2Y
Governments should not do anything
Things would currently stay as they are, unless a petition was successful in getting a vote via Liquid Democracy.
@8VBSKL63yrs3Y
No, and whistleblowers should be sent to prison for a full life sentence.
@8TJX56BConservative3yrs3Y
Yes but only if the information they leaked was legally obtained, they acted within the constraints of the law and it does not threaten the UK’s national security.
@8TBP7NM3yrs3Y
@8SLXW433yrs3Y
Yes! The current system stops people from stepping forward
@8SJQYV53yrs3Y
Yes, but only if the release of information doesn’t put undercover operatives at risk.
@8SJ8GGG3yrs3Y
The governance of the UK needs reform. From party based to independent based advocacy system. At present system is dependent on sponsorship and so action is tied to rich lobbyists.
@8S42P7J3yrs3Y
Depends on what the whistle blower was talking about
@8RZ44WS3yrs3Y
Yes provided the whistleblower can be shown to have acted in good faith.
@8RKV65M3yrs3Y
I do believe we should as it will limit corruption within the government
@8QVXJSZ3yrs3Y
No but make a law that protects foreign whistleblowers
@8QJP85P3yrs3Y
Governments should take a serious look at how companies gag employees by contractual binds. If companies are using illegal means and there are negative and fatal ends to their practice / whistleblowing should not be punished.
Whistleblowers should never face punishment, otherwise it allows abuse to carry on
@8J4VV383yrs3Y
Judge on a case by case basis
Yes. Whistle blowers are fundamental to our Democratic process.
@8KJS9693yrs3Y
Yes, I believe that there should be an anti-corruption law set up. This would include the provisions to protect and encourage whistleblowers, as well as penalties for any person or organisation that engages in corruption. There would be a strengthened national interest in free speech, anonymity for whistleblowers and the transparency of corporations and the government. I would make sure that whistleblowing is a legally, and socially protected right.
@8NZ4ZKQ3yrs3Y
Yes, but the whistleblower's name must not be mentioned in the media after the prosecution of the employer.
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