Reply #16: Be VERY careful about the legal definition of a "whistle-blower."

[TahitiNut]

Most laws purported to 'protect' whistle-blowers require that the disclosure be made to a regulatory or law enforcement agency, or a Congressman, NOT a newspaper or other public entity. People have almost NO PROTECTION under law for disclosing private or classified information other than to narrowly-defined recipients. This is a "gotcha" in most cases. Corrupt corporations "encourage" their employees to raise their concerns through "normal channels" and internal organizations (like Audit, HR, Finance, etc.) before going public or to the law. This is a wonderful opportunity for them. They can shit-can the employee right then and there - or string him/her along before firing them on a concocted basis. Without the disclosure to designated agencies, the person has no case under the so-called "Whistle-blower Protection Laws."