Behind the Scenes, TSN Acts

Behind the headlines: The part no one sees

Last Monday, on World Whistleblower Day, we shared a glimpse into what most people don’t see—the human cost behind the stories that make headlines.

Since January, over 170 whistleblowers have reached out—people who spoke up about corruption, safety concerns and injustice, and whose lives were turned upside down.

That’s the part no one sees. The 2 AM calls from someone whose life just imploded. The legal emergencies that can’t wait until Monday. The shelter requests when retaliation turns into physical threats. The quiet desperation in our voices when we have to say “we can’t help right now” — a reminder of how much more help is needed from all of us.

With $20 a month, you can help make rapid support possible when it matters most.

We’ve been taking urgent calls from whistleblowers, helped relocate those in danger and secured urgent legal or mental health support, often before anyone hears their story.

You can learn more about our experiences working with whistleblowers by hearing from our Executive Director Delphine about the hidden challenges of supporting whistleblowers. But we still find reasons to hope for what could be, like our Whistleblower Protection Program Director Margaux shares in her inspiring vision for the future of whistleblowing.

If you feel moved to support this vital work, even a small donation makes a difference.

Meet Zoie, Our New Legal Intern!

We’re excited to welcome our new Legal Intern, Zoie Valencia, to the team! She will be supporting our legal efforts to protect whistleblowers and hold powerful actors accountable.

Zoie received a B.A. in Sociology–Law & Society, with minors in Cognitive Science and Literature/Writing, from the University of California, San Diego and is currently a third-year law student at Boston University School of Law.

Fun fact about Zoie: she’s perfecting the art of gluten-free baking.

Join us in welcoming her and share your favorite recipes too! You can read more about her and our team on our website.

TSN Supports New AI Whistleblower Protection Act

TSN is proud to support the bipartisan AI Whistleblower Protection Act, which would protect those who speak up about risks or wrongdoing in the fast-moving world of artificial intelligence. As part of a coalition of over 20 civil society organizations, we’re backing this effort to make sure whistleblowers are protected and AI is developed responsibly.

Read more about the bill and our endorsement here.

Whistleblower News Roundup

— ICE whistleblower exposes weapons violations, misconduct and retaliation at a Houston facility, writes Nick Turse for The Intercept.

— Good news from Japan: The country has passed a new law that makes it a crime to punish whistleblowers in governments or companies. Employers who fire or discipline whistleblowers can now face heavy fines or even jail time, according to The Japan Times

— UnitedHealth is being investigated after whistleblowers said it pressured nursing homes to deny residents hospital care and encouraged improper Medicare Advantage enrollments, writes Joseph Gedeon and George Joseph for The Guardian.

— The U.S. Justice Department is set to take a narrow approach to prosecuting corporate bribery abroad, closing many investigations to focus on misconduct that harms U.S. national security and competitiveness, writes Glenn Thrush for The New York Times.

— AI whistleblowers can’t handle regulating the industry alone — stronger laws are needed to keep pace with rapidly evolving technology, writes Poppy Alexander for Bloomberg Law.

Discover more whistleblowing stories making headlines here.