[Press Release] Courage is contagious: Daniel Hale to receive the inaugural Ellsberg Whistleblower Award

Courage is contagious. That is why there is a new international whistleblower prize from now on. The Reva and David Logan Foundation, the taz Panther Foundation, the Wau Holland Foundation and Whistleblower-Netzwerk proudly announce the launch of the International Ellsberg Whistleblower Award.

The award will be presented to individuals and organizations worldwide whose efforts have helped disclose information that significantly enhances free public or scientific debate, strengthening the public’s right to know and thus democracy. Their revelations will give the public the chance to participate in debates and decision-making processes on key issues that often affect society as a whole.

The first to receive the award is Mr. Daniel Everette Hale, a former National Security Agency (NSA) intelligence analyst who informed the public about high civilian casualties and governmental misconduct regarding the US drone warfare (2014). Concerning his motivation Hale explained: “No person should have to die for a crime that they did not commit. Just as no person should have to live with the burden of having taken a poor, defenseless, innocent life” (Daniel Hale, 2019). His whistleblowing raised critical awareness about the balance between national security, the public’s right to know, and ethics in modern warfare, as his lawyer Jesselyn Radack elaborated in her laudatory speech. For his whistleblowing, Hale was indicted under the draconian 1917 US Espionage Act and sentenced to prison in 2021. In February 2024, Hale was released from prison after having served 33 months from which he is currently recovering.

The International Ellsberg Whistleblower Award is meant to acknowledge the risks and challenges whistleblowers like Daniel Hale face and shall help to make their voices heard. The award will demonstrate that safeguarding and supporting whistleblowers is in the best interest of society.

The founding organizations named the prize after Daniel and Patricia Ellsberg.

Daniel Ellsberg was the first and most important whistleblower of his time. By disclosing the McNamara report on US decision making in Vietnam (1971), later publicly known as the “Pentagon Papers”, he exposed the lies of several US governments which contributed to ending the Vietnam War. His disclosure also resulted in a most significant Supreme Court decision for press freedom. The award was established in his memory and in the spirit of his legacy. It was his personal wish that Daniel Hale received the inaugural Ellsberg Whistleblower Award.

The prize is endowed with EUR 10,000 and is to be awarded worldwide. The founding members hope to gain the trust of as many civil society organizations and journalists as possible. As Associated Members, they can draw attention to whistleblower cases in their country, do or support the necessary research and help choose candidates and award winners as members of the Jury.

For further information about the award, nomination processes, and upcoming events, please visit https://ellsberg-award.org or contact our managing board.

Issued by the Reva and David Logan Foundation, the taz Panther Foundation, the Wau Holland Foundation and Whistleblower-Netzwerk