Which statement corresponds to Criterion 1 of the whistleblowing framework?

• A. The policy is confidential
• B. The policy will do serious and considerable harm to the public
• C. The policy will benefit the public
• D. The policy is illegal

Answer: (B)

The first criterion in whistleblowing ethics focuses on whether a policy or action would cause serious and considerable harm to the public. If there is potential for such harm, disclosure can be warranted to alert others and prevent harm. The statement “will do serious and considerable harm to the public” directly captures that harm threshold, which is why it fits Criterion 1 best. The other statements relate to confidentiality, potential public benefit, or illegality, but they do not describe the harm-based trigger that the first criterion uses to justify blowing the whistle.