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GIJN 2025

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Delphine Halgand-Mishra

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Executive Director

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The Signals Network

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Mission

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→ We protect sources & whistleblowers who disclose information of public importance to the press.

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How?

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TSN Whistleblower Protection Program (WPP)

  • Legal support
  • Psychological support
  • Security assessment online and offline
  • Temporary safehouse
  • Career support

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→ Financial support through our WPP Fund

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→ Tech Whistleblowing guides for US, UK and Ireland https://thesignalsnetwork.org/twh/

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TSN in numbers

  • 501(c)3 founded in 2017
  • Annual budget US $1million
  • Every year at least 1 Pulitzer awardee or finalist has been supported by the work of TSN
  • In 2024, 151 requests of support - 40 whistleblowers supported

In 2025, already 443 requests of support - 77 whistleblowers supported, like Victoria Flores USA Today, NYT, The Desert Sun

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/09/19/sheriff-chad-bianco-governor-jail-deaths-lawsuit-whistleblower/86163786007/

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Psychological dimensions of working with sensitive sources

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→ Trainings with Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma

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→ “Being trauma-informed is a process” Kate Porterfield

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Give the source safety & control

Anticipate & ask permission

  • This is what I was hoping to discuss with you today, does it sound ok?
  • I want to explain how I would like to work with you.
  • Would it be ok to talk about x?
  • I notice this seems to be upsetting you; would you like to pause for a second, take a break or move on to something else?

Reflect & provide clarity on next steps

  • I want to make sure I heard you correctly. Xxyxyx Is that correct?
  • Was this conversation ok? I know it can be very hard to talk about these things and relive them.
  • Your story is very helpful to understand x. Thank you for sharing. Explain what happens next and in which time frame

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What to say/do when a source has suicidal thoughts?

  1. Do not ignore. Address it directly.
  2. Talk on the phone asap.
  3. Direct to resources

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EX: “Suicidal thoughts are bothering me” sent on Signal

→ I’m sorry to hear. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for your trust. It’s good you told me. Whistleblowers we work with often need psychological support. It’s normal. What you are going through is really hard right now (Normalize). TSN is looking for a therapist for you in our network. (You are not alone. There are resources.) Do you want to talk now? I know you will see your doctor later today too.

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How to work with sensitive sources

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Free online trainings for journalists in early 2026

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Pre-register now: https://signup-usa.keela.co/sensitive-sources-training

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Toolbox on how to engage with sources — from the first contact to post-publication to maintain professional and ethical boundaries while managing the anxiety and trauma

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Contacts

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TSN Whistleblower Protection Program

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Delphine Halgand-Mishra

  • Signal: delphinehalgandmishra.59
  • delphine@thesignalsnetwork.org

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