I think people like the idea of whistleblowing because we have a lack of trust in Governments and corporations. Whistleblowing "lifts the lid" so to speak on potential large breaches of trust and breaches of the law to a greater degree of perceived damage than whistleblowing.

Essentially uncovering hypocrisy in the way our Governments and corporations works.

People can both care about the act of whistleblowing and the illegal actions incurred as a result.

But it's all nuanced, there's whistleblowing and then there's whistleblowing in a way that puts other innocent people at risk.