Whistle-blowing took center stage in economics and politics during 2001 and 2002, resulting in TIME's naming of three whistle-blowers as its people of the year: Sherron Watkins (of ENRON), Cynthia Cooper (of WorldCom), and Colleen Rowley (of the FBI). Each was frustrated by her respective attempts to bring to the attention of her superiors actions that were detrimental to the company and, in the case of Rowley, potentially disastrous for the nation. It was their commitment to high ethical standards and to the truth that pushed them to move outside of the corporate channels when deaf ears were turned toward their warnings and concerns. There is some question about whether or not each of these women meet the strictest definition of a whistle-blower, but it is clear that each sought to exemplify the highest standards of ethical behavior and to expect similar behavior from her superiors.
- Why might the three People of the Year fail to meet the strictest definition of a whistle-blower?