How to Safely Share Your Story with River City Ledger
At River City Ledger, protecting sources isn’t just a promise — it’s a priority. Whether you’re a city employee, whistleblower, concerned resident, or someone who witnessed something that doesn’t sit right, you deserve to be heard without fear of retaliation.
If you’re thinking about submitting a tip, this guide explains how your information is handled, how to stay anonymous (if you choose), and what happens after you hit “send.”
🔍 What Makes a Good Tip?
You don’t have to be an insider or have hard evidence in hand — sometimes a tip is just the start of a bigger investigation. I’m especially interested in:
- Misuse of public funds or taxpayer money
- Government or contractor misconduct
- Infrastructure failures and coverups
- Backroom deals or public deception
- Local policies that hurt vulnerable communities
- Anything swept under the rug that affects the public good
If you’re not sure whether your tip is important enough — send it anyway. I’ll take it from there.
👤 Can I Remain Anonymous?
Yes. Completely.
You can leave your name and email blank when submitting a tip. I will never attempt to identify a source who wishes to remain anonymous — period.
If you want to take extra steps to protect yourself, here are some options:
- Use a burner email address that isn’t linked to your name.
- Submit tips from a personal device, not a work computer or government Wi-Fi.
- If you’re concerned about digital tracking, consider using Proton Mail, Tutanota, or Tor Browser.
🔐 Secure Communication Options
If you want to submit sensitive materials or communicate securely:
- Encrypted file sharing: Use services like Firefox Send (when available) or OnionShare
- Coming soon: PGP Public Key for encrypted email communication
📁 Can I Upload Documents or Screenshots?
Absolutely. When submitting a tip, you’ll be able to attach:
- Emails
- PDFs or spreadsheets
- Meeting recordings
- Photos or screenshots
- Any other evidence you believe is relevant
I vet all documents carefully and redact any identifying details before publishing them publicly.
🧾 What Happens After I Submit?
- I read every single submission. Whether it’s one sentence or a full exposé — it gets reviewed.
- If your tip looks promising, I may reach out (if you provided contact info) for clarification.
- If you didn’t leave contact info, that’s fine — I’ll still pursue the lead where possible.
- I may publish a story based on your tip. If so, I’ll make sure you are never exposed, unless you explicitly request to go on the record.
📜 Legal & Ethical Notice
I’m a journalist, not a lawyer. I cannot offer legal protection — but I will do everything ethically and professionally possible to protect your identity, your submission, and your safety.
I follow journalistic codes of ethics and do not cooperate with political parties, law enforcement, or corporate sponsors.
🧭 Still Unsure?
That’s okay. Reach out to me directly at rachel.brenner@mail.com from a private email, or use the Pitch a Story form to submit anonymously.
I believe the truth matters. And I believe the people of River City deserve to know it.
You don’t have to blow the whistle alone.
– Rachel Brenner
Editor & Founder, River City Ledger