Inside the hidden voice

Whistleblowing is a crucial tool for exposing wrongdoing in organizations, but speaking up often entails significant professional and personal risks. Anonymity can protect whistleblowers from retaliation and enable them to report concerns safely. Understanding how anonymity works helps researchers, employees and organizations better navigate the balance between transparency, ethical responsibility and individual protection. 

Craig R. Scott, professor and chair of the Communication Studies Department at the Moody College of Communication, first explored whistleblower anonymity in his master’s thesis. He has now expanded that work by examining a rare and complex case in which a whistleblower at the Norwegian National Lottery successfully remained anonymous for 29 months.

“I thought it was a really fascinating case,” said Scott. “And a good way to study how someone had kept their identity secret for a long time, which isn’t usually what happens.”

In most whistleblowing cases, individuals are eventually identified or leave their organization due to the pressures involved. But in this instance, the whistleblower remained within the organization while exposing wrongdoing, making it an ideal case for research. Scott was invited to collaborate on the project by a former colleague who wanted a perspective on anonymity and secrecy.

The case centered on a whistleblower uncovering ethical breaches within the organization. To maintain anonymity, the individual carefully controlled who knew about the situation, creating a network of 17 people who were informed but rarely communicated with one another.

The network was structured strategically to protect the whistleblower’s identity while still allowing them to move forward with exposing the wrongdoing. Each confidant had different motives for maintaining secrecy, some driven by professional ethics, others by personal loyalty, and still others by legal obligations.

“Some really thought the wrongdoer deserved to be punished, others just wanted to be a good friend,” said Scott. “Others may even have had legal reasons why they weren’t going to say anything.”

Using grounded theory, Scott and his colleagues analyzed the data without relying on pre-existing frameworks, allowing patterns to emerge naturally. Through this approach, they identified several strategies that enabled long-term anonymity, including carefully controlling timing, choosing discreet meeting locations, and strategically managing communication channels.

“It appears visible and transparent, it’s a great concealment strategy,” said Scott.

The research also highlighted the emotional toll of maintaining anonymity. Whistleblowing is inherently stressful, and prolonged secrecy adds further psychological pressure. The support network of trusted confidants proved critical in helping the whistleblower sustain their efforts.

“It seemed to take a fairly sizable toll,” said Scott. “Even today, and it's been years since this happened, you see it in his face, you hear it in his voice. It was a difficult time, and we know that's true of many whistleblowers.”

In the classroom, Scott uses this case to teach students about organizational ethics, communication, and the role of anonymity.

“In my classes we talk about anonymity in certain contexts, like the workplace,” said Scott. “It’s usually not what we prioritize, because in an ideal world, people wouldn’t need to be anonymous. But there are specific cases, like confidential sources or whistleblowers, where anonymity is necessary and serves a good purpose.”

The study underscores practical lessons for organizations and individuals: carefully manage trust networks, strategically select communication channels, and establish internal reporting systems that allow whistleblowers to operate safely.

“We have to be okay and understand the anonymity,” said Scott “But we also have to consider if they are doing it because they are doing something wrong and don’t want to be held accountable.”

Scott’s research illuminates how anonymity, when managed effectively, can protect whistleblowers, uphold ethical standards, and offer organizations insights into fostering transparency without compromising safety. This extraordinary case provides students and professionals alike with a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between secrecy, ethics, and organizational communication.