Abstract (eng)
Since over 30 years Günter Wallraff is one of the most prominent and successful investigative journalists working in Europe. His stories have been translated into over 25 languages and gained worldwide bestseller status. The bottom line of Wallraff ́s work is uncovering abuses in society using the method of covert research. Throughout his career, Wallraff sneaked into dozens of companies and enterprises to expose and unjust working conditions, and personnel management to present them to the public in the form of reports. This thesis deals with the consequences for the company and its employees after the publication of such a report by Günter Wallraff. By means of interviews, including with Günter Wallraff and former employees of the companies already mentioned, this rather neglected topic will shed light on an ethical point of view. The reports had consistently negative consequences for the companies, that have been emerging in the form of reputational damage, sales minimization and legal consequences. For employees, the various disclosure reports had different effects that varied between wage increases, stricter surveillance, spying and layoffs. This work considers the issue from the perspective of Günter Wallraff, the damaged companies and the employees, to thereby obtain the best insight.