The decision to act against the establishment is never a simple decision and often involves the escalation of internal and external conditions for the whistleblower. Although
Wigand in The Insider is fired after refusing to support the company’s actions, he initially refuses to disclose anything to the public. He first acts solely to defend himself and his family, but after an arduous cycle of institutional pressure and a series of internal realizations throughout the film,
Wigand’s individual conflict with B&W slowly progresses into a full-fledged quest encompassing the intent of acting for the public good. Wigand’s motives change throughout the movie as the environment presented in the film continuously tests Wigand’s commitment to his
position …show more content…
He even states that he feels “compelled” to be a whistleblower on the tobacco industry’s publicly harmful practices. Wigand’s affirmation of his position on the issue finally elevates his position from a defensive attempt to protect his family by damaging B&W into a quest that is ultimately to better the public through providing knowledge of the practices that B&W and the entire tobacco industry are responsible for. Believing B&W to be brought to justice, Wigand completes his interview and in doing so, both alerts the public and retaliates against B&W for their intimidation tactics and insults to his integrity. Wigand’s moment of contemplation before his testimony to the Mississippi illustrates his commitment to his quest. Evidently, Kentucky’s restraining order causes doubt and Wigand perceives it as another obstacle produced by B&W and as a source of danger for the well-being of his family. In spite of the potential repercussions of violating the restraining order from
Kentucky and the attorney general’s assertion that Wigand carries no obligation to violate the order, Wigand still decides to testify. When Bergman offers that things could have …show more content…
The final condition required to elevate Wigand’s dispute to a quest is that Wigand needs to realize that he is the sole person who has the power to bring B&W to justice. 60 Minutes already has the information regarding B&W, but Wigand decides to utilize the extra channel of the state lawsuit to further pressure B&W for their practices. In this instance, Wigand’s priority shifts from defending his family to acting for public good because he wouldn 't have testified if he was prioritizing his family. Wigand’s family is symbolically gone once he comes back to Kentucky, signaling that he now has nothing holding him back from pursuing his elevated quest for the public good. Once Wigand’s position ascends to a quest for the public good and succeeds, the consequences reveal that his quest inflicted the damage it intended to inflict and more. The revelation of “tortious interference” illustrates the omniscient presence of institutional power.
Under the “remote” risk of a multi-billion dollar lawsuit from B&W, CBS Corporate reacts with the extreme measure of forcing the interview to be edited out. Wigand is empowered by 60
Minutes’ integrity and reputation, yet CBS Corporate is ultimately still liable to the influence
Wigand in The Insider is fired after refusing to support the company’s actions, he initially refuses to disclose anything to the public. He first acts solely to defend himself and his family, but after an arduous cycle of institutional pressure and a series of internal realizations throughout the film,
Wigand’s individual conflict with B&W slowly progresses into a full-fledged quest encompassing the intent of acting for the public good. Wigand’s motives change throughout the movie as the environment presented in the film continuously tests Wigand’s commitment to his
position …show more content…
He even states that he feels “compelled” to be a whistleblower on the tobacco industry’s publicly harmful practices. Wigand’s affirmation of his position on the issue finally elevates his position from a defensive attempt to protect his family by damaging B&W into a quest that is ultimately to better the public through providing knowledge of the practices that B&W and the entire tobacco industry are responsible for. Believing B&W to be brought to justice, Wigand completes his interview and in doing so, both alerts the public and retaliates against B&W for their intimidation tactics and insults to his integrity. Wigand’s moment of contemplation before his testimony to the Mississippi illustrates his commitment to his quest. Evidently, Kentucky’s restraining order causes doubt and Wigand perceives it as another obstacle produced by B&W and as a source of danger for the well-being of his family. In spite of the potential repercussions of violating the restraining order from
Kentucky and the attorney general’s assertion that Wigand carries no obligation to violate the order, Wigand still decides to testify. When Bergman offers that things could have …show more content…
The final condition required to elevate Wigand’s dispute to a quest is that Wigand needs to realize that he is the sole person who has the power to bring B&W to justice. 60 Minutes already has the information regarding B&W, but Wigand decides to utilize the extra channel of the state lawsuit to further pressure B&W for their practices. In this instance, Wigand’s priority shifts from defending his family to acting for public good because he wouldn 't have testified if he was prioritizing his family. Wigand’s family is symbolically gone once he comes back to Kentucky, signaling that he now has nothing holding him back from pursuing his elevated quest for the public good. Once Wigand’s position ascends to a quest for the public good and succeeds, the consequences reveal that his quest inflicted the damage it intended to inflict and more. The revelation of “tortious interference” illustrates the omniscient presence of institutional power.
Under the “remote” risk of a multi-billion dollar lawsuit from B&W, CBS Corporate reacts with the extreme measure of forcing the interview to be edited out. Wigand is empowered by 60
Minutes’ integrity and reputation, yet CBS Corporate is ultimately still liable to the influence