In whistleblowing, the source is the person who ignites the process by reporting suspected wrongdoing within an organization. This can be anyone with knowledge, most commonly current or former employees who witness misconduct firsthand. Contractors or even people outside the organization, like suppliers or customers, can also be sources if they discover wrongdoing and report it. These sources play a critical role by initiating investigations with their reports, providing firsthand accounts or evidence, and raising public awareness of serious issues. There are two main types: internal whistleblowers who report within the organization and external whistleblowers who go to outside authorities or the media. Whistleblower protection laws exist to shield sources from retaliation, and some channels even offer anonymity. However, the specific rights and protections for sources vary by location and type of whistleblower law. Consulting a lawyer specializing in whistleblower protection is recommended before coming forward.