Dear Friend,

If you're in the D.C. area in October, we have an exciting event for you: I'm thrilled to announce the first annual Whistleblower Film Series!  This is a project I've wanted to do for years and it is finally coming to fruition.  Every Thursday in October, we'll be showing a different film that explores the issues and challenges facing whistleblowers. A panel discussion will follow each film, with reporters, authors, film directors, and even the whistleblowers themselves offering their insights and sharing their experiences.  Here's what's on tap:

  • October 1: "The Pentagon Wars," discussion with USAF Lieutenant Colonel James Burton 

  • October 8: "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," introduction beforehand with Members of Congress who sponsored the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement legislation

  • October 15: "Silkwood," discussion with Howard Kohn, author of Who Killed Karen Silkwood & David Burnham, New York Times reporter

  • October 22: "The Insider," discussion with whistleblower Dr. Jeffrey Wigand

  • October 29: "The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers," discussion with whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, directors Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith, and myself.

The film series should raise awareness for the ongoing nine-year effort to strengthen the rights and protections of whistleblowers, whose courageous actions have proven to be indispensable in the fight against fraud, waste and abuse.  Free and open to the public, the series will be held on Thursday evenings, October 1-October 29, 6:30 p.m. at the Capitol Visitor's Center (entrance on the East Front of the United States Capitol).

The series is presented by the DC Labor FilmFest and other supporters of whistleblower protection legislation, including the Project On Government Oversight, Public Citizen, the Government Accountability Project, the National Whistleblowers Center, Union of Concerned Scientists, Bernabei & Wachtel, the Fund for Constitutional Government, Clifford & Garde LLP, Katz, Marshall & Banks and The Ridenhour Prizes.

Please visit the Whistleblower Film Series page on our website and on Facebook for details on panelists, links to movie trailers, and other info.

Danielle Brian
Executive Director

PS, be sure to order a copy of our Congressional Oversight manual (The Art of Congressional Oversight: A User's Guide to Doing it Right) if you haven't already!