Editorial
Protecting whistleblowers
Law by itself not enough
The parliament has passed a bill titled Public Interest Related Information Disclosure (Protection) Act, 2011. Although enacted by a voice vote, hopefully, all clauses of the bill have been carefully crafted to make the law into a user-friendly piece of legislation. That is where the law's efficacy will be tested in the first place. So, the enactment of the law, though highly welcome as catering to a long-felt need, may not be enough by itself.
It will have to be accompanied and underpinned by awareness-building among the public about the law, procedure for disclosure and mechanism whereby a protective umbrella will be cast around a person or persons volunteering disclosures.
Where genuine witnesses shrivel from helping prosecution build up its case or where prosecution depends on procured or so-called professional witnesses encouraging whistleblowers to come out of their shells is not going to be an easy job.
This is not being cynical but merely pointing at the challenges of implementation which require to be met in order to derive optimal benefit from the law. Yes, the majority of the citizens being victims of wrongdoing by a miniscule minority have an inherent motivation to spill the beans for common social good. They abhor corruption, abuse of power and poor delivery of public services while keeping lot of leads and incriminating information close to their chest for fear of stirring the hornet's nest or outright reprisal. If they are assured of protection of their lives and limbs or against any harm-doing in concrete visible terms, there is no reason why they would not come forward with information of any foul play. The latter may not directly relate to them yet it afflicts the society. More than provision for incentives we need providing an infrastructure for protection.
The law will have the best chance of implementation if people can be motivated at the community, NGO and local body levels to volunteer information.
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