Worried you'll get caught leaking information? Then read on...

Some people get a tad squeamish about leaking. Unctuous politicians stand up and condemn it as an erosion of the sanctity of the internal deliberations of the Executive. Corporate miscreants with something to hide condemn it as plain theft. John Pilger has even reportedly said that "Investigative Journalism in Australia is dead"! Whoa - not so fast John! Fact is, politicians and corporations have been leaking information when it suits them for years and they are lying if they claim otherwise%6 leaking has been an unacknowledged part of democracy for most of this century.

But if, like us, you believe a responsible probing media investigation can serve a useful public interest role then we will take you for a Sunday drive through our Hot Tips for Safe Leaking below.

Tip One. A Word in Our Ear

The safest way to leak a Government scandal/sordid story is to mail the documents to me at: Sunday, PO Box 27, Willoughby, NSW 2068, Australia.

If it's just too risky to send us a copy of a hot doc; call us on the land line (02) 9965 2470. By giving us a description of the offending document (the author, the title and the date of the document - as well as a quick summary of what is significant about it) we can often use the Freedom of Information Act or other sources to seek a copy. An identifying file number is also useful. You can provide this in complete anonymity via Anonymous E-mail.

Tip Two. The Biggest Mistake

Whether you are in public or private enterprise, don't assume that we humble hacks have even the dimmest idea of what's going wrong in your institution's dark corners. We often hear about it long after a particularly woeful scandal has been successfully buried and spin-doctored. So, don't assume - just give us the tip.

Tip Three. Without a Trace

It pays to be paranoid. Never call us on a work, mobile or hotel phone. Never call us long distance on your home phone. You will, of course, leave a trail for any zealous investigator if and when the source of an embarrassing leak is investigated. And if you're worried about fingerprints on original photocopied leaked documents, don't. We routinely photocopy the original to protect a source's greasy daubs!

Tip Four. Be Prepared

We hate to sound ungrateful but the biggest problem with any whistleblower is most commonly that they've left the organisation they're working for in angry or bitter circumstances and - without corroborating evidence - their claims are often too easily dismissed as malicious lies by the institution that they've left. It scares us off if you have left an organisation under a cloud because you might - even if unconsciously - distort the true situation to favour your perception of an issue. So, if you have made the decision to blow-the-whistle on an issue of major importance, then don't leave before you have all the proof...and we mean all! If there is something foul going on then it pays for you to furtively photocopy as much documentary evidence as possible and keep a diary of conversations with key personnel. Whistleblowers are often a bit surprised at the unwillingness of media to rush to broadcast their claims and just how sceptical we often are about some stories. Only about 10 percent of all whistleblower's tips get broadcast. We will be sceptical. It is as much for your protection as it is for ours. And don't ask us for money because refusal often offends! You're doing this in the public interest.

Tip Five. Call us Early

The best informants are the ones who are still on the inside. It allows us to direct you on the sort of corroborating evidence we would need to substantiate a serious allegation. So, give us a call - and we assure you the issue will be treated with confidentiality. We are working on stories that involve people on the inside helping us with filming and obtaining of documents and some of these have been in preparation for months or even (in one case) for years. Quite often informants want to be in control of when a story is broadcast because they want to be a long way away from their old workplace when the story hits the streets. That's OK. We're patient. We'll wait.

Tip Six. Lists are Number One

One of the most important things you can provide a journalist is lists of staff, their positions, and after-hours numbers and addresses. These lists are often published in organisations but sadly they're often the last thing whistleblowers think are important. They are.