Watch The Whistleblowers: Inside the UN

The Whistleblowers: Inside the UN, a documentary from BBC Select, provides a powerful and poignant glimpse into the inner workings of the United Nations, but what sets it apart is its focus on the individuals working within this sprawling organization. These are the whistleblowers who bravely speak out against corruption, fraud, and cover-ups, risking their careers, reputations, and even their lives to shine a light on malfeasance and wrongdoing.

The UN is a vast and complex organization with a sprawling bureaucracy, and as such, it's not immune to the same issues that afflict any large institution. But while the public may not often hear about scandals or controversies within the UN, that doesn't mean they don't exist. The Whistleblowers: Inside the UN exposes some of the most egregious examples, from the Sri Lankan peacekeeping mission that turned a blind eye to human rights abuses to the cases of sexual harassment and assault that have plagued the organization for years.

Through a combination of interviews, archival footage, and dramatic reenactments, the documentary illuminates the challenges whistleblowers face when they try to bring these issues to light, often facing resistance from within the UN itself. We hear from a diverse cast of whistleblowers, from former UN employees who witnessed corruption firsthand to human rights experts who have been blacklisted by the organization for speaking out. Their stories are harrowing and heartbreaking, but also inspiring in their courage and determination.

One recurring theme throughout The Whistleblowers: Inside the UN is the tension between holding the UN accountable for its actions and preserving its reputation as an essential force for global cooperation and peacekeeping. When whistleblowers step forward to challenge the status quo, they risk damaging the UN's credibility and undermining its capacity to do good in the world. But as the documentary argues, it's precisely because the UN plays such a critical role in promoting human rights, fighting poverty, and addressing global challenges that it's so important to root out corruption and misconduct.

As the documentary shows, the stakes for whistleblowers can be incredibly high. We see individuals fired from their jobs, subjected to harassment and intimidation, and even forced to flee the country for fear of their safety. But they remain determined to keep fighting, driven by a sense of justice and a deep belief in the UN's noble mission.

The Whistleblowers: Inside the UN is an immersive and thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on a critical issue facing one of the world's most important institutions. It's a compelling reminder that even the most well-intentioned organizations can fall victim to corruption and abuse, and that the only way to ensure accountability is through the courage of individuals who are willing to speak truth to power.