Scenario 1

In 2022, a computer expert and government organisation computer administrator, Mr John released confidential government documents to the press about the existence of government surveillance/spying programs on the citizens of Mali. According to many legal experts and the Mali government, his actions violated the Spying Act of 1995, which identified the leak of government secrets as an act of treason. Yet despite the fact that he broke the law, John argued that he had a moral obligation to act. He gave a justification for his "whistleblowing" by stating that he had a duty "to inform the public as to that which is done in their name and that which is done against them." According to John, the government's violation of privacy had to be exposed regardless of legality.

Many agreed with John. Mr Cooper of the Government Accountability Project defended John's actions as ethical, arguing that he acted from a sense of public good. Cooper said, "John may have violated a secrecy agreement, which is not a loyalty oath but a contract, and a less important one than the social contract a democracy has with its citizenry." Others argued that even if he was legally culpable, he was not ethically culpable because the law itself was unjust and unconstitutional.

The Attorney General of the Mali, Mr George, did not find John's rationale convincing. George stated, "He broke the law. He caused harm to our national security and I think that he has to be held accountable for his actions."

Journalists were conflicted about the ethical implications of John's actions. The editorial board of Straits Echo stated, "He may have committed a crime...but he has done his country a great service." However, in the same newspaper, a journalist named Dick argued that John was not a hero, but a criminal: "by leaking information about the behaviour, John chose to break the law." According to Dick, John should be prosecuted for his actions, arguing that his actions broke a law "intended to keep legitimate nationalsecurity data and assets safe from our enemies; it is intended to keep Mali safe." The compliance is not only a checkbox exercise, but they should see the organisations go beyond compliance to incorporate ethical principles into daily operations. "Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters."

Question 1 (50 marks)

a) Identify and explain with examples the two (2) types of whistleblowing. (6 marks)

b) The right to privacy plays an important role in our personal lives. Discuss with examples the six (6) considerations that can be seen as the key to balancing the rights to privacy and legitimate business needs.

(18 marks)

c) The Contractual theory of business firm's duties to consumers claims that a business has four main moral duties. Discuss with examples the four (4) duties. (12 marks)

d) Do you agree that John's actions were ethically justified even if legally prohibited? Why or why not? Discuss with relevant theories and examples. (14 marks)

can you help me with that question from subject management ethic thank you in advanced