In journalism, sources are people, publications, or notes or other documents that provide timely information. Outside of journalism, the source is sometimes known as the "news source". Examples of sources include official records, publications or broadcasts, government or business officials, organizations or companies, witnesses of crime, accidents or other events, and persons who are involved or affected by news events or issues.
According to Shoemaker (1996) and McQuail (1994), there are many factors that tend to condition acceptance of resources as bona fide by investigative journalists. Journalists are expected to develop and cultivate resources, especially if they regularly cover certain topics, known as "knocks". However, beat journalists should be careful to be too close to their source. Journalists often, but not always, give greater concessions to resources with little experience. For example, sometimes someone will say they do not want to talk, and then continue to talk; if the person is not a public figure, reporters tend not to use that information. Journalists are also encouraged to be skeptical without being cynical according to the adage "If your mother says she loves you, check." popularized by City News Bureau of Chicago. As a rule of thumb, but especially when reporting controversy, journalists are expected to use various sources.
Video Source (journalism)
Using confidential information
Off-the-record material is often valuable and journalists may want to use it, so sources that want to ensure the confidentiality of certain information are generally advised to discuss the "terms of use" before actually disclosing the information, if possible. Some journalists and news organizations have a policy of not receiving "unrecorded" information because they believe it interferes with their ability to report truthfully, or because they suspect it may be intended to mislead them or the public.
Even if they can not report certain information directly, reporters may use "off the record" information to uncover related facts, or to find other sources that are willing to speak in the notes. This is very useful in investigative journalism. Information about the latest shock or news events, whether active or not, is known as a "tip-off". Information leading to more interesting disclosure of information is called a "lead".
Maps Source (journalism)
Anonymous sources
Anonymous source identities are sometimes expressed to senior editors or lawyers of news organizations, who will be deemed bound by the same secrecy. (Lawyers are generally protected from subpoena in these cases with attorney-client privileges.) Legal staff may need to advise on whether it is advisable to publish certain information, or about litigation that may seek to learn confidential information. The senior editors are in a circle to prevent journalists from creating anonymous sources of absence and to provide a second opinion on how to use the information obtained, how or how not to identify the source, and whether other options should be pursued.
The use of anonymous sources is always controversial. Some news outlets insist that anonymous sources are the only way to get certain information, while others hold a strict prohibition against the use of nameless resources over time. News organizations may enforce security, such as requesting information from an anonymous source to be reinforced by a second source before it can be printed.
Nevertheless, reports that stand out based on anonymous sources are sometimes proven wrong. For example, most reports of O. J. Simpson from unnamed sources are then deemed inaccurate. Newsweek recalled the story of the Koran being watered down the toilet causing riots in the Middle East; controversy The abuse of the Quran in 2005 is based on an unnamed military source. The Los Angeles Times pulled back an article that implicated Sean "Diddy" Combs in the beating of Tupac Shakur. The original article is based on documents and some unnamed sources. When reporting the original story, the Associated Press notes that "[n] one of the sources is named".
After embarrassment, a news organization will often "press" on guidelines for using anonymous sources, but the guidelines are often forgotten after the scandal subsides. One study found that the use of anonymous newspaper sources dropped dramatically between 2003 and 2004. Projects for Excellence in Journalism, a research group found the use of anonymous sources fell from 29 percent of all articles in 2003 to just 7 percent in 2004.
Not in ribbon
Whether in the arrangement of formal interviews and lounging or impromptu meetings on the street, some sources request that all or some of the meetings be not captured in audio or video recordings ("ribbons"), but continue to speak to journalists. During the interview it is not confidential, the reporter can report the information provided by the source, even repeat the direct quote (maybe write on a notepad or remember from memory). It often appears in the broadcast as "John Brown refuses to be interviewed in front of the camera, but says" or just a "spokesperson".
Some uncomfortable interview subjects were recorded. Some fear that they will become unable to speak and make a fool of themselves when the interview is broadcast. Others may be uncooperative or distrustful of journalists' motives or competencies, and want to prevent them from broadcasting unattractive voices or parts of the interview out of context. The professional public relations officer knows that asking reporters to repeat their words, rather than broadcasting on their own, will dull the impact of their words. Viewers do not need to see or hear them feeling uncomfortable (if they have unpleasant news), and not being in the air also allow them to be anonymous or identified only by title.
Attribution
In journalism, attribution is the identification of reported sources of information. The journalist's code of ethics usually addresses attribution issues, which are sensitive because in the course of work journalists they can receive information from sources who want to remain anonymous. In investigative journalism, important news often relies on such information. For example, the Watergate scandal that led to the fall of US president Richard Nixon was partially revealed by information revealed by an anonymous source ("Deep Throat") to investigative journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.
Ethics
Leaking the identity of confidential sources is criticized by groups representing journalists in many democracies. In many countries, journalists enjoy equal protection under the law as all other citizens, and thus may be required to divulge their sources in criminal investigation like other citizens. Even in jurisdictions that provide special legal protection to journalists, journalists are usually asked to testify if they witness crime.
Journalists defend the use of anonymous sources for various reasons:
- Access . Some sources refuse to share stories without anonymity shield, including many government officials.
- Protection against retaliation or punishment . Other sources are concerned about retaliation or punishment as a result of sharing information with journalists.
- Illegal activity . Sources involved in illegal activities are usually reluctant to be named to avoid torture. This includes sources that divulge confidential information or details of court proceedings that are sealed from the public.
However, the use of anonymous sources was also criticized by some journalists and government officials:
- Unreliable . It is difficult for readers to evaluate the reliability and neutrality of sources they can not identify, thereby reducing the overall reliability of the news as it relies on information from anonymous sources.
- Misinformation and propaganda . Anonymous sources may be reluctant to identify because the information they share is uncertain or known they are untrue, but they want to concern or propagate through the press, as in the case of Iraqi aluminum tubes, where tubes are known to be of no use to the refinement of uranium presented as evidence Saddam Hussein's nuclear weapons program by an anonymous source in the US intelligence community to build public support for attacks on Iraq. It can also be used to attack political enemies and present opinions as facts. Some journalists, including Paul Carr, argue that if the off-the-record briefing is a deliberate lie journalist should feel permitted to name the source. The Washington Post identifies a source who has offered a story in an attempt to discredit the media and divert attention from existing issues related to sexual harassment cases.
- Illegal activity . The use of anonymous sources encourages some sources to disclose information that is illegal for them to disclose, such as details of legal settlement, grand jury testimony, or confidential information. This information is illegal to disclose for reasons such as national security, protecting witnesses, preventing defamation and libel, and ending long and costly lawless prosecutions and encouraging people to disclose such information defeats the purpose of illegal disclosure. In some cases, a journalist may encourage sources to disclose confidential information, resulting in espionage charges.
- Source created . A journalist can create news stories and regard the information as an anonymous source for making news, making false details for news, plagiarism, or protecting themselves against allegations of defamation.
"The terms speak"
There are several categories of "talking terms" (agreement on attribution) that include information conveyed in a conversation with a journalist. In the UK, the following conventions are generally accepted:
- "On the record" : everything said can be quoted and attributed.
- "Can not Be Linked" : what is said to be reported but not attributed.
- "Off the record" : information is provided to inform the decision or provide a confidential explanation, not for publication.
However, the confusion over the precise meaning of "unattributable" and "off-the-record" has led to more detailed formulations:
See also
- Angle
- Protecting the law in the United States
Note
References
- McQuail, D. (1994) Theory of Mass Communication. London: Sage.
- Shoemaker, P. and Reese, S.D. (1996) Mediating the Message. London: Longman.
External links
- Anonymous Source, the site details the use and abuse of unnamed attribution
- Clearly define your source bias and agenda, from Project for Excellence in Journalism
- Chart - Real and False News (2016)/Vanessa Otero (base) (Mark Frauenfelder)
- Chart - Real and False News (2014) (2016)/Research Center Pew
- Protection of journalistic sources, factsheet from ECtHR case law
- Audiences as Source, from Newslab
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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