BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND

Usually, when you hear a whistle, it’s on a sports pitch, sometimes at a parade or a demonstration. However, the word “whistleblower” is commonly used to refer to a company or government employee who reports inappropriate or unethical behavior uncovered at their place of work. While exposing illegal or unethical behaviour could seem like an honourable course of action, it can land people in a lot of trouble. The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 was enacted to protect federal employees who disclose «Government illegality, waste, and corruption» from adverse consequences related to their employment. There are, nevertheless, cases in which the government may consider whistleblowing illegal. Notable whistleblowers in recent history include former Central Intelligence Agency employee Edward Snowden and former United States Army soldier Chelsea Manning. More recently, in late September, a whistleblower’s complaint prompted Democrats in the House of Representatives to launch an impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump. whistle sifflet / pitch terrain / parade défilé / demonstration manifestation / whistleblower lanceur d’alerte / to report signaler, dénoncer / to uncover révéler / course of action ligne de conduite / to land oneself in trouble s’attirer des ennuis / to disclose révéler, divulguer / waste gâchis, perte / adverse négatif / notable éminent, célèbre / former ancien, ex- / late (à la) fin (de) / complaint plainte / to prompt inciter, pousser / House of Representatives Chambre des représentants / impeachment (procédure de) destitution / inquiry enquête.