Anonymous Sources!
They’re in Front Page News Sections, but when should one use them?
According to the Associated Press stylebook, an anonymous source should only be used when the source absolutely insists on remaining “off the record”.
Journalists therefore must follow a “strict set of guidelines” when going this way. Above all the source must be information driven not opinion and must be vital to the news report.
A 2005 report of major front-page news found “13 percent used anonymous sources” as the basis for telling the story.
In response, Los Angeles Resident, Roxana Jimenez says, “If you can find 87 percent of sources that are willing to be sited, than you can find 13 percent, so there’s really no excuse to use anonymous sources, especially when you want your stuff to be credible.”
The truth of the matter is any reporter who uses an anonymous source “must get approval from their news managers” and must explain why the source chose to remain anonymous. (AP Stylebook)
Jimenez says, “The only place she thinks using an anonymous source is acceptable is in tabloids.”
In a post on Facebook, Saharra Kalyesubula from West Hills, Calif., answers the number one reason for using anonymous sources is “to protect the innocent.”
Hi Julie, quick question:
Who is Saharra Kalyesubula?
Thanks Bret. I’ll update it.