History Main / TheInformant

!!Examples

[[folder:Fanfiction]]

[[folder:Film]]

* In Literature/{{Discworld}}, Lord Vetinari gets intel from the city's beggars, mostly by way of unfounded rumors that he pays for information. And the City Watch under Commander Vimes gets information from similar sources, as well as some of the pettier of petty criminals, who have an almost jocular relationship with the lawmen. It's mentioned that the Watch House break room is populated by a collection of "petty crooks, informants and ex-watchmen, some of whom were the same people." Vimes signs off on the doughnuts, since the information they bring in is well worth the price.
** In ''Discworld/NightWatch'', Nobby Nobbs started out as one of these, and eventually became a real member of the Watch. Though not a particularly good one.

[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* Willy the Snitch from ''Series/{{Buffy|TheVampireSlayer}}'' runs a dive patronised by demons, and lives up to his name

[[quoteright:350:[[ComicBook/LukeCageHeroForHire https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flea_informant_earth_616_from_power_man_vol_1_18_001.jpg]]

* ''Series/{{Informer}}'', the whole series is naturally PlayedForDrama.

* ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise''. While battling time agents in WW2 New York, Captain Archer is put in contact with a man who sells information to them. However the informer frankly admits that [[RealityEnsues he makes most of the stuff up]].

* ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise''. While battling time agents in WW2 New York, Captain Archer is put in contact with a man who sells information to them. However the informer frankly admits that he makes most of the stuff up.

* [[spoiler:David]] in Creator/ChinaMieville's ''PerdidoStreetStation'' sells out Isaac to the militia as part of his work as a paid informant.

* The GetoBoys' "Snitches" is anti-informant.

* In the episode of ''FantasyIsland'' with the two old actors who used to star in a cop show together, their characters had an informant they used to rough up when they wanted information. When they get stuck in a real-life version of the show, the informant shows up with a massive grudge against them for the way they used to treat him.

Not to be confused with 2009 Matt Damon film ''Film/TheInformant'', which is actually about a [[TheStoolPigeon Stool Pigeon]], kind of.

Not to be confused with 2009 Matt Damon film ''Film/TheInformant!'', which is actually about a [[TheStoolPigeon Stool Pigeon]], kind of.

* ''{{Series/Guerrilla}}'': One of the black radicals turns out to be a police informant. He points out the leader of the protest for the police, who beat him to death.

* The second ''VideoGame/TimeSplitters'' game has a Prohibition-Era level where you have to protect a snitch.

* [[spoiler:David]] in ChinaMieville's ''PerdidoStreetStation'' sells out Isaac to the militia as part of his work as a paid informant.

* Weavel from SinCity.

* Willy the Snitch from ''Series/{{Buffy|TheVampireSlayer}}'' runs a dive patronised by demons, and lives up to his name

* Trader Johann from ''WesternAnimation/DragonsRidersOfBerk'' could often be counted on to provide information if you meet his price. Or just threaten him with trade sanctions.

* While very few of the Informants were ever actually ''shown'', the detectives on LawAndOrder often had regular informants they relied on. Detective Rey Curtis often referred to an entire network of confidential informants he had from his days as a vice cop.
** Fin from LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit had a number of these as well, most of whom he'd acquired from his time in Narcotics.

* Alexei, a Russian taxi driver in Moscow, in ''Series/{{JAG}}'' a LovableRogue that works for "the highest bidder", but develops a crush on Mac (doesn't everyone?}.

* Bubbles was a frequent informant on TheWire.

Informants fear prison, since they probably become a PariahPrisoner, fearing molestation or lethal violence.

* Juan Martinez in ''Film/RunningScared''. He's a second generation stoolie.

* In GuyRitchie movie ''Film/RockNRolla'', the London underworld is puzzled by he identity of an informant whose testimony has been putting away multiple well connected gangsters. At the very end of the film [[spoiler:it's revealed to be TheDon himself, [[LondonGangster Lenny]]. Lenny's men quickly and ruthlessly turn on him, especially since some of them, including TheDragon have gone to prison based on that testimony]].