Special Cuts: Whistleblower Mistreatment
A former whistleblower and now forensic psychologist talks about how whistleblowers are treated
Communication Intelligence, the Newsletter
Special Cuts from Communication Intelligence Magazine
“My personal journey from blowing the whistle on jail misconduct and wrongdoing has given me a distinctive insight into the experiences of whistleblowers and the broader impact on society,” says Dana R. Anderson, PsyD, a forensic psychologist at Psychologydr.
Next Point
“What do we really communicate when whistleblowers endure the, let’s say, less-than-arm reactions of those who’d rather not see their dirty laundry aired?” she rhetorically asks. “When a whistleblower faces backlash, society might as well send a message like, ‘Hey, we appreciate your honesty, but could you please keep that truth serum under wraps? We've got appearances to maintain!’ It’s almost as if we're saying, ‘We like the idea of whistleblowers, but could they just not make waves? We've got a well-crafted facade to protect.’”
Third Point
Wrongdoers, their families, organizations and other stakeholders don’t always value communicated facts, evidence, proof and ‘the right thing.’
“What we are truly communicating is an ambivalent relationship with transparency,” Anderson says when whistleblowers are judged poorly and mistreated. “We applaud those who expose wrongdoing, yet we can’t resist scrutinizing their motives or blaming the messenger. You wanted the truth, but not the whole truth.”
Fourth Point
There is a message for those exposing what is hidden. There is more going on than communication and blowback.
“To whistleblowers enduring the storms of negativity, remember this,” Anderson says: You’re not just exposing misconduct; you’re challenging a societal status quo,” Anderson states.
Final Word
She briefly mentions what should be happening instead and would be more helpful to society. “It’s high time we embrace the catalysts for change, even if they do ruffle a few feathers along the way,” Anderson says. “We’ve got progress to make and it’s time to ditch the double-sided message.”
Publisher’s Note: Whistleblower Rights and Protections, per the U.S. Department of Justice, Officer of the Inspector General
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