Only submit the article to one newspaper at a time. The waiting is the hardest part and, if the article is time sensitive, you may want to include in your submission a time limit.

News Values and Principles

You can say, "Please respond by [this date] if you are interested. Once you have a relationship with an editor the submission process will become much easier. Note Your lead should be completely factual and no-frills, but as interesting as possible.

Newspapers like dense writing when reporting the news. Choose a local news outlet if you have information on a story that relates to people in your area. If you want to pitch a story to a local news organization, contact local newspapers and television stations at the same time.

Top Stories

Both mediums are excellent resources for getting a story out. Veteran reporters usually specialize in a specific type of journalism. For example, if you have a story about a little league baseball tournament, choose a local sports reporter for your story. If they both want to pick the article source up, you may create some bad will with the organization and will likely be turned away.

Investigative reporters are kind of like detectives; they reference police reports, conduct witness interviews, and do field work to uncover the truth. A press release is a formal public announcement about a significant event or experience. If you want to publicly give any news outlet the opportunity to report on something, write a press release.

Ben Bradlee, The Washington Post's editor-in-chief during this period, often made a point of forcing Woodward and Bernstein to get multiple sources to confirm their Watergate stories, and, whenever possible, to get those sources to speak on the record. In other words, even the most famous anonymous source in history was no substitute for good, thorough reporting and plenty of on-the-record information.

Rogers, Tony. How to Work with Anonymous Sources. A good news tip should articulate a clear and understandable issue or problem with real-world consequences.

HOW TO MAKE

Be specific. Finally, a news tip should be newsworthy. While we agree it is unfair that your neighbor is stealing cable, we would not write a story about it. Use of anonymous material must be authorized by a manager. The story we produce must be balanced, and comment must be sought. Further, before picking up such a story we must make a bona fide effort to get it on the record, or, at a minimum, confirm it through our own see more. We shouldn't hesitate to hold the story if we have any doubts.

We should give the full name of a source and as much information as needed to identify the source and explain why the person s credible. Where appropriate, include a source's age; title; name of company, organization or government department; and hometown.

If we quote someone from a written document — a report, email or news release -- we should say so. Information taken from the internet must be vetted according to our standards of accuracy and attributed to the original source. File, library or archive photos, audio or videos must be identified as such. For lengthy stories, attribution can be contained in an extended editor's note detailing interviews, research and methodology.

Telling the story

How to report a story to the news anonymously Video

LSE Research - Is news reporting fair and objective?

How to report a story to the news anonymously - thanks

Do you have a story to share with us? Did you witness something you think should be reported? Reach out to our journalists by sending in your news tip. Below are some different ways that you can reach us. Each tool has its own security measures. SecureDrop This encrypted submission system operated by NBC News uses the Tor anonymity software to protect your identity, location and the information you send. Once you have given the news person you are speaking with all of your facts, then you can tie them up with some speculation if need be, but only do this as a last resort.

Tip: Reporters pride themselves on being objective and direct.

View this post on Instagram

Shared post on Time