Don't Fear the Leaker: Thoughts on Bureaucracy and Ethical Whistleblowing

Abstract

In this brief Essay, I argue that rather than trying to eliminate leaks entirely, which experience demonstrates is impossible, we should instead try to channel leaks so that they provide the maximum benefit to transparency while reducing risks to national security and other secrecy concerns. I also offer some preliminary suggestions about how to accomplish this goal.

Keywords: whistleblower, leaker, nsa, national security, snowden, classification, whistleblower protection act