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Home > Reporting, Writing & Editing
12:00 AM
Aug.
1,
1999
- How does this source know what he/she knows? Can I prove the sources' information through government records or other documents? How can I confirm this information through further reporting or other sources?
- Are there underlying assumptions that my source depends on which I should question?
- How representative is my source's point of view? Who else knows what my source knows?
- What is the past reliability and reputation of this source?
- What is the source's motive for providing the information? What does this source have to gain or lose? Will this information make the source look better, worse, guilty or innocent?
- What is my relationship with the source?
- Why am I using this source? Did I use this source because I am in a rush and this source often gives good quotes and soundbites on deadline? How often do others or I use this source?
- Do I fear losing this source? How does that perception color my judgment? How am I being manipulated by this source?
- Where can I find an independent person who has the expertise on the subject of this story and can help me verify/interpret/challenge the information my source has given me?
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Recent Comments: | | Anonymous Sources
Bob, I know this is an old topic/article but, in conjunction with your recent piece on sitting on a story, I couldn't help thinking about the use of anonymous sources. We never use them at my small-town newspaper. Perhaps that's because we are small town. Our (unwritten) policy is that...Martin L Cahn, 2:44 PM December 12, 2002 |
| Read All Comments (1 comments) | |
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