Final answer:
Whistleblowing is the act of exposing wrongdoing within an organization, supported by laws such as the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 and the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989, which protect whistleblowers from retribution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whistleblowing refers to the act of exposing any kind of information or activity that is deemed illegal, unethical, or not correct within an organization that is either private or public. The U.S. government recognized the importance of whistleblowers as a means to ensure accountability and integrity in the federal bureaucracy. Legislation such as the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 and subsequent laws including the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 and the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 were enacted to provide protections for those who report misconduct. These laws enable whistleblowers to come forward without fear of retribution and help maintain a check on the power of institutions by raising awareness about the missteps of government agencies or corporations.