The Lawton Town Crier is committed to the absolute protection of our sources and the integrity of the public record. In an era of digital surveillance and administrative overreach, encryption is the only way to ensure that the truth can be shared safely.
Why Encryption Matters
Transparency in government requires protection for the individual. Whether you are a city employee, a whistleblower, or a concerned citizen, your right to communicate with the press should not come at the cost of your personal or professional security. By using encryption, we ensure that:
- Confidentiality: Only the intended recipient can read your message.
- Authenticity: You can be certain you are communicating with the Town Crier newsroom and not an interceptor.
- Integrity: The documents and data you send cannot be tampered with during transit.
Our Primary Secure Channel: ProtonMail
For most users, the most effective way to communicate securely is through ProtonMail. It provides end-to-end encryption by default, meaning neither the service provider nor third parties can read your emails.
If you do not have a secure email account, we recommend creating one. You can use our referral link to get started: Secure Your Communications: Create a ProtonMail Account
Advanced Security: Using PGP (Pretty Good Privacy)
For high-stakes disclosures and sensitive document transfers, we utilize PGP encryption. PGP is a cryptographic method that uses a “Public Key” to lock a message and a “Private Key” to unlock it.
How to Send an Encrypted Message:
- Get the Software: Download a PGP tool like GPG4Win (Windows) or GPGTools (Mac), or use a browser extension like Mailvelope.
- Import Our Public Key: Copy the PGP Public Key provided below and import it into your keychain.
- Encrypt Your File: Use the key to encrypt your message or document.
- Send: Once encrypted, you can safely email the resulting block of text or file to newsroom@lawtontowncrier.com.
The Town Crier Public Key
-----BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----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=gXgF
-----END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----Submission Guidelines for Whistleblowers
The Lawton Town Crier does not move on allegations alone. When submitting via secure channels, please prioritize:
- Primary Source Documents: PDFs of board minutes, internal memos, and court filings.
- Unfiltered Data: CSVs, spreadsheets, or raw logs.
- Photographic Evidence: Unedited images of physical records or on-the-ground documentation.
Note: The Town Crier reviews all documentation independently. We move when the records move. We do not disclose the status of ongoing investigations to protect our sources and the integrity of the audit.