Whistleblower Definition Update

The Issue

Whistleblowers save lives, keep air and water clean, protect children, animals and veterans from harm, yet the Merriam-Webster Dictionary that Microsoft pulls synonyms from has very negative connotations, "Betrayer, informant, snitch, mole, tattletale, and stool pigeon are just some of the definitions used to describe employees who bring wrongdoing to the attention of the authorities or the public.  Whistleblowers of America wants to see those synonyms changed to ethicist, protector, relator, truthteller or lamplighter. We have written letters to Microsoft and to Merriam-Webster, but the best way to change the definition is when it is in demand by the general public. So, help us reduce the stigma against whistleblowers and give them the definition as a force for right-doing. 

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The Issue

Whistleblowers save lives, keep air and water clean, protect children, animals and veterans from harm, yet the Merriam-Webster Dictionary that Microsoft pulls synonyms from has very negative connotations, "Betrayer, informant, snitch, mole, tattletale, and stool pigeon are just some of the definitions used to describe employees who bring wrongdoing to the attention of the authorities or the public.  Whistleblowers of America wants to see those synonyms changed to ethicist, protector, relator, truthteller or lamplighter. We have written letters to Microsoft and to Merriam-Webster, but the best way to change the definition is when it is in demand by the general public. So, help us reduce the stigma against whistleblowers and give them the definition as a force for right-doing. 

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Petition created on July 26, 2022