Who is considered a whistleblower?

A whistleblower is defined as an individual who brings to light information that reveals wrongdoing, illegal activities, or unethical conduct within an organization, often involving violations of laws, regulations, or standards. This can include various types of misconduct, such as fraud, safety violations, or other ethical breaches.

The third choice defines this phenomenon accurately, illustrating that a whistleblower boldly takes the step to report these issues, often at personal risk. This role is significant in promoting accountability and integrity within organizations, especially in sectors like healthcare, where the implications of unethical behavior can have serious consequences for public safety and welfare.

The other options, while they describe different types of disclosures, do not align with the specific context of whistleblowing. Disclosing family secrets, reporting on industry benchmarks, or sharing patient cases do not inherently involve exposing wrongdoing or ethical violations, which is the critical component of whistleblowing.