Important
Confidentiality is taken seriously, but no internet system can guarantee absolute anonymity.
Beyond the Sentence accepts tips, documents, firsthand accounts, records, concerns, and other information from members of the public and potential sources.
We design our editorial workflow to separate source-identifying information from public reporting whenever possible and to limit access to sensitive source information.
However, internet communications can create technical records, metadata, network logs, or other information outside our direct control. We therefore do not promise absolute anonymity or absolute technical security.
Attribution preferences
Sources using our submission form may indicate how they prefer their information to be handled. These preferences guide our editorial process but do not automatically create a legally enforceable agreement or legal privilege.
Confidential
The source may provide identifying information to Beyond the Sentence while requesting that their identity not be publicly disclosed.
Anonymous
The source requests that identifying information not be included in public reporting.
On Background
Information may potentially be used without directly identifying the source, subject to further agreement and editorial judgment.
On the Record
The source is indicating that the information and their identity may potentially be attributed publicly, subject to editorial review.
We collect only what is useful to the reporting process.
Our submission process allows sources to provide information without requiring a name, email address, or phone number.
Contact information may be useful when a reporter needs to ask follow-up questions, verify documents, obtain clarification, or discuss attribution.
Sources should avoid submitting unnecessary personal information.
Sensitive information
Before submitting information, consider whether the material contains unnecessary Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, medical records, passwords, private authentication credentials, home addresses, information about minors, or other highly sensitive personal information.
Unless that information is directly relevant to the reporting, consider removing or redacting it before submission.
Source access inside the newsroom
Sensitive source information is treated differently from ordinary published content.
Access to confidential source information may be restricted to authorized newsroom users whose responsibilities require that access.
Information submitted to Beyond the Sentence is not automatically published. It may instead be reviewed, corroborated, investigated, held, declined, anonymized, or used as a lead for additional reporting.
Legal limitations
Communicating with Beyond the Sentence does not create an attorney-client relationship.
A request for confidentiality does not necessarily create a legal privilege, and there may be circumstances in which information could become subject to lawful legal process.
Beyond the Sentence will not promise legal protection that it cannot guarantee.
Not for emergencies
The source submission system is not monitored as an emergency service. If someone is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical, legal, or emergency assistance, they should use an appropriate emergency or professional service.
Protect yourself before contacting us
Sources concerned about retaliation or identification should consider what device, network, email account, telephone number, or institutional communication system they are using.
Workplace, correctional, institutional, school, shared, or monitored devices and networks may create records outside the control of Beyond the Sentence.
Do not violate the law, court orders, protective orders, computer access restrictions, or other legal obligations in order to provide information.
Editorial verification still applies
Confidentiality and verification are separate issues. Protecting a source's identity does not mean Beyond the Sentence will automatically treat that source's claims as established facts. Information is evaluated under our editorial standards regardless of attribution preference.
Read Editorial Standards →Submit information
If you understand these limitations and want to provide information for editorial review, use the secure submission form.
Submit Information