How to share a story or a tip with Al Jazeera

Is there a story that you think we should cover? Do you have a tip or documents that we should investigate? Here are the best ways to get in touch with our journalists.

Postal address:

Al Jazeera Media Network
Attn: Investigative Unit
PO Box 23127
Doha - Qatar

Al Jazeera International
Attn: Investigative Unit
Level 16, The Shard
32 London Bridge Street
London, SE1 9SG, UK

Email:

Send us your tip here.
In the dropdown menu, be sure to choose
"General - Editorial"

Important:
Never use email to send us confidential tips or documents that might pose a risk to your safety. Use one of our other options if you have sensitive information you want to share.

We offer the following secure options to get in touch with us if you have confidential information:

WhatsApp is a free encrypted messaging app, which means only the sender and receiver can read the messages. The app allows you to send text messages, images, videos, audio and text documents. In case messages are intercepted by third parties, they cannot be read because of the encryption the app uses. However, because some information about you as a user is stored on WhatsApp servers (phone numbers, certain types of metadata, including timestamps on messages), the app is not completely anonymous.
If you use WhatsApp to contact us, be aware that you also share your phone number with us.
Also make sure your conversations are not backed up in the cloud (iCloud or Google Drive).

Al Jazeera’s WhatsApp Number: +974 5080 0207 Download WhatsApp

Signal

Signal is a free messaging app similar to WhatsApp, but it stores less information about its users. Signal only registers your phone number and the last time you used the app. Other metadata like timestamps on messages are not recorded.
Signal also offers the option to send messages that self-destruct after a set time after the message is seen.
You will disclose your phone number with us when you send a message.

Al Jazeera’s Signal Number: +974 5080 0207 Download Signal

SecureDrop –
http://ajiunit.securedrop.tor.onion
or
http://jkta32w5gvk6pmqdfwj67psojot3l2iwoqbdvrvywi5bkudfeandq7id.onion

SecureDrop is an encrypted submission system that is highly recommended if you value both confidentiality and anonymity. Because it uses the Tor network, your identity, location and other information will be protected. SecureDrop allows us to communicate while keeping both parties completely anonymous from each other.

To use SecureDrop, you must:

Download and install software to access the Tor network: https://www.torproject.org (if this web page is blocked in your country, you can send an email (gettor@torproject.org) or a direct message on Twitter to @get_tor to get a direct download link)
Once you load the Tor browser, copy and paste the URL http://ajiunit.securedrop.tor.onion into the Tor address bar. You will then find additional instructions on how to submit files to Al Jazeera.
A randomly generated, unique code name will be assigned to you. If Al Jazeera wishes to contact you, we will do so in your SecureDrop. These messages can only be accessed using your code name.
Using the Tails operating system is recommended to increase security.
More information on the Tails operating system can be found here.
More information on SecureDrop can be found https://docs.securedrop.org/en/stable/source.html

Things to consider before sending confidential tips and documents:

It is important to remember that no app or tool is 100 percent safe and secure, and all forms of communication come with risks. To help with security, we recommend you:

- Read the tool or app’s terms and conditions, as well as the instructions before using.
- Be aware of the network you use. Do not use your home or work network if you do not want the information to be traced back to you. Using a public wifi network might be preferable to reduce the risk of being identified.
- Remember that your internet and search history can help identify you. A simple Google search with "how to leak documents" could be enough to identify you or put you at risk.
- Downloading the Tor browser could also potentially come with some risks in certain countries.
- Tor does not hide the fact you are using Tor.
- In countries where Tor is not extensively used, it can be easier for users to be identified. In these countries – which include several countries outside of Europe and North America – you should avoid using networks associated with your identity.
- If possible, do not use your personal or work phones or computers to contact us.
- Encrypt any sensitive information you have stored locally. Find out how and why here.
- Use strong passwords on your phone and computer to increase security. If you have sensitive information on your phone, it is best not to use biometric security like fingerprint recognition or FaceID.

More information on password security here.

A note about using phone communication:

- In general, mobile messaging is not recommended if you want to stay completely anonymous. Phone locations, numbers and identities can potentially be traced to identify you as the source.
- If someone gets access to your phone, they might be able to read any messages if they can unlock your phone.
More information on the risks of using mobile phones can be found here.

We encourage you to assess the potential risks and choose the option that you believe is best for you and the information you're sharing.

We ask that you do not send pitches, press releases or feedback through these channels. While we will check messages regularly, we will not always respond. If we do respond, it will be through the same method by which you contacted us.

Are you a journalist who wants to pitch a story to Al Jazeera? Find out the best way to pitch us your story idea here.