ROME (AP) — Whistleblower protection groups are urging the World Health Organization to launch an independent review into the case of a spiked report on Italy’s coronavirus response. They also want a review of WHO’s whistleblowing protections after an Italian researcher reported being pressured to falsify data in the report and then marginalized after he complained internally. The groups, including Transparency International, Whistleblowing International Network and some 30 other public health and anti-corruption groups, sent an open letter Wednesday to the president of the World Health Assembly. The assembly is WHO’s highest decision-making body and is meeting this week. A spokesperson said WHO didn’t consider the researcher a whistleblower but that his complaint was under review.
