Disclosure of whistleblower identity requires balancing interests

OG 1995 15Other CourtAug 16, 1995Not Examined

Extracted by Omnilex

Omnilex summary

The decision addresses whether the identity of a whistleblower or reporting person may be disclosed. It states that the decisive factors are the reporter’s interest in confidentiality, the public interest in effective supervisory enforcement, and the reported person’s interest in knowing the reporter’s identity. These interests must be weighed against each other; anonymity generally serves effective oversight.

Omnilex headnote

Disclosure of the identity of a reporting person; balancing of interests. The confidentiality interest of the reporting person and the public interest in effective supervisory activity, which generally presupposes anonymity of the reporting person, must be weighed against the interest of the person reported against in learning the reporter’s identity. Disclosure is not automatic, but requires a case-specific balancing of these competing interests.

Full text

Bei der Frage, ob die Identität des Anzeigestellers oder der Anzeigestellerin preisgegeben werden kann, sind folgende Faktoren von Bedeutung: Einerseits das Schutzbedürfnis der anzeigestellenden Person an der Geheimhaltung ihres Namens und das Interesse der Öffentlichkeit an einer wirksamen Aufsichtstätigkeit, welche grundsätzlich voraussetzt, dass der Anzeigesteller oder die Anzeigestellerin anonym bleibt. Anderseits das Interesse des oder der Beanzeigten, den Namen der anzeigestellenden Person zu erfahren. Diese Interessen gilt es gegeneinander abzuwägen.

Keywords

anonymitywhistleblowerbalancing of interestssupervisionconfidentiality

Extracted by Omnilex

Key legal questions extracted by Omnilex

Key legal question

Whether the identity of the reporting person may be disclosed to the person reported against.

Extracted holding

Disclosure depends on balancing the reporting person's confidentiality interest and the public interest in effective supervision against the reported person's interest in learning the reporter's name.

Extracted reasoning

The anonymity of the reporting person generally supports effective supervisory activity, but this must be weighed against the addressee's opposing interest in disclosure.

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