Whistleblower Protections in the Age of National Security: A Legal Comparative Study
Keywords:
Whistleblower protection, national security, comparative law, legal safeguards, democratic accountability, public interest disclosures, civil society, rule of lawAbstract
This study aims to examine and compare the legal protections available to whistleblowers in national security contexts across diverse legal systems. Using a scientific narrative review design and a descriptive analysis method, this article explores whistleblower protection frameworks in selected common law and civil law jurisdictions. Legal sources including statutory provisions, case law, and policy documents published between 2018 and 2024 were analyzed to assess the scope, effectiveness, and limitations of existing legal protections. Countries were selected to represent a range of legal traditions and national security climates, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, and South Korea. The review also considered the role of civil society and media in supporting whistleblower disclosures. The comparative analysis reveals significant disparities in how national legal systems address whistleblower protections related to national security. Common challenges include broad national security exemptions, ambiguous legal language, limited enforcement mechanisms, and procedural complexity. Even in jurisdictions with formal protection regimes, individuals disclosing classified information often face criminal prosecution or institutional retaliation. While some countries have made progress in aligning their domestic laws with international standards, national security disclosures remain a legal grey area. The presence of independent oversight bodies and supportive civil society actors contributes to more robust whistleblower frameworks, but these mechanisms are not uniformly available or effective. There is a critical need to harmonize national whistleblower protection laws with international human rights standards, particularly in the domain of national security. Legal reforms must address gaps in immunity, clarify reporting procedures, and ensure independent institutional oversight. Strengthening protections for national security whistleblowers is essential to promoting transparency, preventing abuse of power, and reinforcing democratic accountability on a global scale.
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