If you have never interacted with a journalist before – or never done so without the support from a PR team – it can be a little intimidating. In those situations, I usually start with a completely off-the-record conversation, where I explain how the process works and the steps I take to protect my sources.

I thought it would be helpful to answer some common questions. (I borrowed this idea from Kevin Roose and Louise Matsakis)

How can I contact you securely?
If the tip or information is not particularly sensitive, you can email me on osolon2 [at] bloomberg [dot] net, olivia.solon [at] protonmail [dot] com or easily find me on LinkedIn. 

If the information is sensitive, take a look at these guidelines from the Freedom of the Press Foundation. Make sure you use a secure messaging service (I like Signal) on a personal device that isn’t connected to your work wi-fi. Be particularly careful about sharing documents.

You can also contact me on Signal, an encrypted messaging app: +1 (650) 797-2472

Bloomberg also has a confidential news tip process, which allows you to submit information/files completely anonymously.

Or you can send me snail mail to: Olivia Solon, 3 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4N 4TQ

I’m also always open to meeting in person.

Can I remain anonymous?
In some circumstances, yes. Journalists generally default to “on the record,” i.e. your comments can be published with your name and job title unless we agree beforehand to speak “off the record” or “on background.”  But I spend a lot of time talking to sources anonymously, which can allow them to be more open about sensitive subjects or topics they aren’t authorized to share publicly.  Often sources are concerned about losing their jobs or other personal or professional consequences for speaking out.

One thing to note: even though I can offer anonymity in any resulting article, I will still need to know who you are (unless there's sufficient documentation to support allegations).

Again, I am happy to have a completely off-the-record conversation to discuss these issues before a source agrees to speak to me on background or on the record.

What do “on background” and “off the record” mean?

Journalists have different definitions, particularly of “on background” but here’s how I think of them.

On background: I can quote or paraphrase what you tell me, but will not attribute it to you by name. This might mean “a company X employee said” or, in particularly sensitive situations, “according to a person familiar with the matter.” The journalist and source should agree to the terms before starting. If we agree to talk on background, that also means I don’t tell any other sources that I have talked to you — even if they ask directly.

Off the record: What you tell or show me can help steer the reporting, but I cannot publish or paraphrase it.

What makes for a good tip?

Any piece of information that reveals something previously unknown about a company or person that might be in the public interest. It could be a predatory or unethical business practice, difficult working culture or the exposure of hypocrisy. It could also be an unexpected alliance or negotiation between two parties. For me, the best kinds of stories are those that hold powerful companies or people to account.

Tips are often the start of a long process of investigation and fact checking. I typically need to find multiple people to corroborate any allegations, to make sure what we are reporting isn’t merely a gripe from a single individual.

Supporting material, including screenshots, emails or documents are incredibly valuable in this process — but be very careful about how you send it. Don’t use company devices or networks. Again, happy to discuss this in a call.

If it reads like a press release, it’s not a tip. That doesn’t mean my team won’t cover it (eg funding rounds, deals, major appointments) but seek out reporters who cover those kinds of stories.