whistleblower
/ˈwɪsəlˌbloʊər/
Definition
A person who exposes illegal, unethical, or dishonest activity occurring within an organization or government agency.
Etymology
The term combines 'whistle' and 'blower,' originating from the act of a police officer blowing a whistle to alert the public or authorities of a crime. It entered modern political and professional usage in the 20th century to describe individuals sounding an alarm on institutional corruption.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe an individual who successfully secured legal settlements after exposing potential wrongdoing within the Oregon state government. It highlights how such figures hold public institutions accountable for their actions.
Trump administration threatens Oregon elections leaders with criminal prosecution over noncitizens voting
Read the full article ↗OregonLive.com