“Whistleblower” is a person who works for a public or private organisation or is in contact with such an organisation in the context of their work-related activities who reports breaches of Union law that are harmful to the public interest. Such persons act as ‘whistleblowers’ and thereby play a key role in exposing and preventing such breaches and in safeguarding the welfare of society. They are often the first to know about threats or harm to the public interest which arise in that context. The term ‘reporting person’ may also be used in the meaning of a natural person who reports or publicly discloses information on breaches acquired in the context of his or her work-related activities;
Source: Preamble (1) of the Whistleblower’s Directive 2019/1937
Source: Art. 5 (7) of the Whistleblower’s Directive 2019/1937