Protected disclosure is the cornerstone of legal whistleblowing. It refers to an employee (current or former), contractor, or anyone connected to an organization reporting suspected wrongdoing with legal safeguards against retaliation. This disclosure can involve exposing illegal activity, fraud, safety hazards, or other serious misconduct, either internally (within the organization) or externally (to authorities or the media). For a disclosure to be protected, the whistleblower must have a reasonable belief in the truth of the information and believe it serves the public interest by exposing harm. Importantly, whistleblower protection laws exist to shield them from retaliation for speaking up. This empowers individuals to expose wrongdoing without fear, deters organizations from misconduct knowing they might be exposed, and promotes accountability by bringing issues to light. However, the specifics of protected disclosures can vary by location, so consulting a lawyer specializing in whistleblower protection is recommended before coming forward.