Whistleblower Chapter – Cicero Insight Journalists (CIJ)
Effective Date: 1 January 2026
How we protect whistleblowers – under EU law
At Cicero Insight Journalists, we stand by people who speak up about wrongdoing. Across the European Union, whistleblowers are protected by the EU Whistleblower Protection Directive, which sets minimum standards to ensure that those who report serious breaches of EU law cannot be punished for doing so.
This law covers issues such as public procurement, financial services, money laundering, food and transport safety, consumer rights, environmental protection, public health, and data‑protection violations. It guarantees key rights for whistleblowers, including the right to report confidentially or anonymously, protection from retaliation (such as dismissal, demotion, or threats), safeguards against unfair legal action, and access to support if they face problems after speaking up.
Member States are required to put these rules into national law, for example by setting up secure internal and external reporting channels, ensuring reports are taken seriously, and investigating them properly. In some cases, the law also allows whistleblowers to go public (for example, to the media) if internal or official channels fail to act or if there is an urgent risk to the public interest.
If you want to share sensitive information with us, you can contact us through secure, encrypted channels. Only a small, trusted team will handle your message, and we will never reveal your identity without your permission. Before publishing anything, we carefully verify the facts and weigh potential risks, always respecting the law and our duty to protect you.
If you have something important to share, you can reach us securely here: cij.office@atomicmail.io
Last updated on 1 January 2003, 1 January 2010, 1 January 2018, and 1 January 2026