Members of the whistleblower community, government officials, and advocates will come together on Wednesday, July 30, to commemorate the 247th anniversary of National Whistleblower Day. This historic event honors the courage of individuals who expose corruption and wrongdoing.
National Whistleblower Day dates back to the Founding Fathers. On July 30, 1778, they passed the first whistleblower law, which protected the rights of America’s first whistleblowers. Today, the annual gathering continues to serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of whistleblowers to ensuring accountability.
This year’s event will begin with a “Unity Session” at 10 a.m., bringing together a panel of leading whistleblower and anti-corruption organizations. Renowned whistleblower Bradley Birkenfeld will moderate the session, which is designed to foster collaboration and shared purpose within the advocacy community.
At 11 a.m., the main program will commence, featuring keynote remarks from Senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Wyden—two longtime champions of whistleblower protections. Also returning to moderate are esteemed whistleblowers Jane Turner and Dr. Tommie “Toni” Savage, both board members of the National Whistleblower Center (NWC), which organizes the annual event.
This year’s gathering highlights the need to protect whistleblowers in the artificial intelligence (AI) and tech sectors. AI’s rapid development introduces new ethical and regulatory challenges, which makes protecting whistleblowers all the more vital. Daniel Kokotajlo, a leading figure in AI safety, will deliver a keynote address on this pressing issue, followed by a panel discussion featuring AI whistleblower advocacy organizations.
Additionally, representatives from key federal agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Whistleblower Office, and the Signals Network, will share their insights and experiences supporting whistleblowers.
“This yearly gathering of the whistleblower community honors whistleblowers for their bravery,” said Stephen M. Kohn, chairman of the National Whistleblower Center. “Hearing from whistleblowers, advocates, and government leaders is important to shifting the culture surrounding whistleblowers.”
For more information about National Whistleblower Day and a complete list of speakers, visit www.nationalwhistleblowerday.org.
