he African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has congratulated Protect, a UK charity, on its 30th anniversary. AFRICMIL and Protect are members of Whistleblowing International Network (WIN), an international organisation that connects and strengthens civil society organisations that defend and support whistleblowers.
WIN Members and Associates “defend and protect whistleblowers whose disclosures challenge corruption, waste, fraud, abuse, illegality and threats to the public interest taking place in their countries.”
For three decades, Protect has worked with thousands of whistleblowers while making contributions to advancing openness, accountability, and the protection of whistleblowers’ rights in the United Kingdom.
Whistleblowing has proven to be a powerful tool in the fight against corruption and wrongdoing through disclosures of vital information to the relevant authorities or the public. Whistleblowers have continued to play a crucial role in exposing fraudulent practices while safeguarding the interest of the public.
Unfortunately, whistleblowing advocacy around the world has been tough considering incessant retaliation, attacks, and murder of whistleblowers, some of whom are journalists.
It is commendable that whistleblowers have found communities of nongovernmental organisations like Protect and other CSOs who have been working to explore what lies ahead for whistleblowing and whistleblowers and how they can continue to foster transparency, accountability, and ethical practices.
In Nigeria, AFRICMIL has in the last six years been in the forefront of whistleblowing advocacy through its project, Corruption Anonymous, supported by MacArthur Foundation. It has been working tirelessly to create awareness on the importance of whistleblowing as a tool for addressing unethical practices and achieving democratic accountability.
The organisation is also collaborating with relevant stakeholders to ensure protection for victimized whistleblowers and work for the passage of a whistleblower protection law in the country.
Over the years, AFRICMIL has been stepping in to ensure justice for whistleblowers who have continually faced reprisals, including threats to life, unlawful arrests, denial of salaries and promotion, and dismissal from work for no other reason than providing information on wrong practices that endanger the wellbeing of society.
Although continuous advocacy and support for whistleblowers has generated substantial achievements by ensuring that citizens are steadily showing the courage to blow the whistle, enacting a protection law would make whistleblowing a much more attractive undertaking for citizens who are serious in their demand for good governance in the country.
Every year, Protect supports around 3,000 whistleblowers who call its Advice Line. In addition, it works with organisations on improving their speak up arrangements and campaign for better legal protection of whistleblowers.
AFRICMIL’s Coordinator, Dr Chido Onumah, noted that the value of groups such as Protect in developing legislative frameworks and offering support systems that enable whistleblowers to disclose wrongdoing without fear of retaliation cannot be over-emphasized. He said for Protect to achieve such milestone must have taken a lot of work.
“As the fight against corruption continues, the future of whistleblowing is dependent on the combined efforts of groups like AFRICMIL, Protect and other institutions who belong to Whistleblowing International Network (WIN), as well as governments, institutions, and relevant stakeholders around the world,” Onumah added.
He urged countries to encourage an environment where corruption is exposed, justice is served, and citizens’ voices are heard by providing strong legal protection, support, and respect for whistleblowers.
