Individuals who become sources of leaks typically share a mix of personal and principled motives. They may be driven by moral outrage at perceived wrongdoing, a desire to correct injustice, or a belief that the public has a right to know. At the same time, personal pressures—career frustration, betrayal by institutions, or the need for recognition—can contribute. In Rose Hart’s case, imagine a background in a guarded institution (government agency, corporation, or powerful NGO) where access to sensitive information revealed systemic abuses: corruption, safety failures, or deliberate misinformation. The emotional profile includes a strong sense of conscience, tempered by fear and awareness of personal risk.
| Question | Red Flag | |----------|----------| | | If the data is primarily about personal vendettas, reconsider. | | Will the leak cause disproportionate harm to innocent parties? | Redact any PII not essential to the story. | | Do I have proof that the organization deliberately concealed the info? | A single email may not be enough; aim for a paper trail. |