TOP TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR SOURCES 1. Do not save their numbers, their emails and any other metadata of your sources on your devices. 2. When receiving documents from your sources avoid scanning, sending jpeg pictures or any electronic transfer of the documents. They may be captured in the process of transmission. Find safe spaces to physically receive the documents. An abandoned mill, a hidden rail line, a dusty outskirts outside town. When you receive such documents, do not be overwhelmed by the urge to do back -up copies in town. This could lead to a paper trail which can be traced back to you or your source. 3. To minimize an electronic paper trail that can be used by surveillers against you, avoid using public internet service providers (ISPs). Remember in some countries, security regulations can be used by authorities to ask ISPs to turn over your browsing history. 4. Rather use the incognito browsing mode on many browsers. Incognito mode helps in protecting your browsing history. Your browsing history is trail that can be used by surveillers against you. By checking your browsing history, they know which stories you are chasing and who you might possibly want to talk to. Here are the guidelines you can follow to browse in incognito mode: On your Android phone or tablet, open the Chrome app. At the top right, tap Switch tabs. On the right, you’ll see your open Incognito tabs. At the top right of your Incognito tabs, tap Close. 5. Governments or other powerful people can adopt desperate measure like illegal search and seizure on roadblocks. Do not carry sensitive documents in your car. Do not keep them at your house as well, nor at work. Safe houses: When surveillance becomes so banal and violent, it is important to move the affected journalist(s) into safe houses. This is useful because surveillance can be weaponized by agency to traumatize even the journalists’ family. In the worst case scenario, safe houses safeguards the journalist, and keep their families away from exposure to the occupational hazards of their family members. A SURVIVAL TOOLKIT FOR JOURNALISTS Page 19