How do I share documents with journalists safely?
Short answer
Use official secure intake channels, send sanitized files, and avoid unnecessary personal context in your first message.
Last reviewed: 2026-02-20
submission-safety
journalists
sources
Use official secure intake channels, send sanitized files, and avoid unnecessary personal context in your first message.
Why this matters
The first contact often creates the strongest identity link. Start with minimal information and clear evidence quality.
Safe default steps
- Find the newsroom's official secure tips page.
- Scrub document metadata locally before sending.
- Keep your first message concise and factual.
- Preserve original files privately for verification needs.
Common mistakes
- Contacting through public social media DMs.
- Sending unsanitized originals first.
- Including details that narrow your identity unnecessarily.
Limits
Journalists may still ask follow-up questions to verify authenticity. Plan your boundaries before contact.
Related
Next safe step: scrub a PDF locally and review threat model limits.