Whistleblowing: The Fundamental Misconception – The American Anti-Corruption Institute (AACI)

Technical Staff

July 25, 2023

The government is legally required to “develop and implement or maintain effective, coordinated anti-corruption policies that promote the participation of society and reflect the principles of the rule of law, proper management of public affairs and public property, integrity, transparency and accountability. ” – Article 5(1) of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). 

Whistleblowing Effectiveness

First: The Most Effective Anti-Corruption Mechanism to Deter, Detect, and Prevent Fraud, Corruption, and Wrongdoing. 

Second: It Uncovers More Than 50% of Corruption and Fraud Cases.

The Fundamental Misconception about Whistleblowing

People think he must have conclusive evidence when the whistleblower reports an act of wrongdoing or fraud. WRONG. The whistleblower doesn’t need to possess concrete evidence when reporting misconduct but must hold a justifiable (reasonable) belief in his allegations.

The following chart explains the whistleblowing definition promulgated by The American Anti-Corruption Institute (AACI). 

Click here to download the whistleblowing diagram.

Photo by Mike Chai: https://www.pexels.com/photo/time-lapse-photography-of-people-walking-on-pedestrian-lane-842339/