How to Be a Better Partner: Protecting Sources and Their Information

This panel and workshop teaches participants technological and relationship best practices for safely working with sources (including anonymous ones), from both an individual and organizational perspective.

As a journalist, editor, or staff member representing a news organization, you have a duty to your sources to protect them and the information they provide. Individuals risk their lives and livelihoods to disclose fraud, abuse, harassment, and other unethical and illegal acts, and as a partner, it is your duty to stay up-to-date and informed on best practices for digital security.

Learn how to protect and partner with sources with guidance from Harlo Holmes, Director of Newsroom Digital Security at Freedom of the Press Foundation; Micah Lee, Director of Information Security at First Look Media; and Tim Schwartz, author of A Public Service: Whistleblowing, Disclosure and Anonymity, and Digital Strategist at Alley.

This interactive presentation will teach individual and organizational strategies for protecting sources’ identities, holding conversations, sharing information, and building trust. Through an interactive scenario, attendees will work with each other to put the best practices they’ve learned into play and share the results with each other. Attendees will learn not only how to be good stewards of information, but also how to be evangelists for supporting those who decide to speak up.

Suggested Speaker(s)

  • Harlo Holmes
    Director of Newsroom Digital Security, Freedom of the Press Foundation
  • Micah Lee
    Director of Information Security, First Look Media