Have a news tip? Here’s how to contact us securely. (original) (raw)

At The Washington Post, our journalists often rely on confidential sources to bring our readers important stories. Credible tips help us find key documents, illuminate hidden motives, better understand news events and reveal otherwise unknown stories of great public interest.

If you have a general news tip, email The Post at lockbox@washpost.com.

What makes a good tip?

• Be specific. Tell us the basics: who, what, when, where, why and how. Describe what’s at stake and the scope of the problem. Help us understand why a broad audience would be interested in this subject.
• Explain the information you have. How did you become aware of the information you are sharing, and how might we verify key information? Attaching documents — such as emails, text messages, memos and other records — can help us move quickly on a promising lead.
• Give us a sense of why it matters now. We are always seeking stories that intersect with powerful people, organizations and businesses. We’ll want to understand why your information is relevant now and why our readers need to know about it.

Keeping our sources’ identities confidential is a top priority for us. For the most sensitive tips, The Post offers several ways to securely send information and documents to our journalists. No system is perfectly secure, but these tools attempt to create a more protected environment than that provided by email or other traditional communication channels. If you choose this method, please provide a preferred way for us to contact you.

Reach us securely

Signal

This is a free, end-to-end encrypted messaging app, which allows you to communicate directly and securely with The Post. You can send text messages, images and video with a high degree of privacy. No metadata is retained by Signal, which can be downloaded from the app or android store. Signal can be configured with “disappearing messages” activated so that information is automatically deleted from user devices at a designated time interval. That feature can be found under the app’s privacy settings.

For most purposes, Signal is the best, most efficient way to reach reporters and editors with timely tips.

The Post’s Signal general newsroom name is wapo.1877, but it is not monitored around the clock. Please do not call it. Text messages are best.

Download Signal from App Store

Download Signal from Google Play

SecureDrop

SecureDrop is an open-source whistleblower document submission system that news organizations use to securely accept documents from and communicate with anonymous sources. SecureDrop submissions are encrypted and do not include identifying metadata. These messages do not go to particular reporters or editors but are reviewed by newsroom staff.

Postal mail

As a final option, you can send a letter or package in the mail to reporters at The Post. To maintain anonymity, it is recommended that you use a mailbox rather than going into a post office.

Please send to:

News Lockbox

The Washington Post

1301 K St. NW

Washington, DC 20071