Search results for "anonymous sources" ...

• Dealing with Ethics, Anonymous Sources and the Public

  The authors summarize some recent ethical issues in journalism, such as whether to publish offensive cartoons and whether to yield to government pressure not to release information. The tipsheet also lists a few resources to help clarify journalism ethics.

  Tags: ethics; poynter; Society of Professional Journalists; bias; sources

  By Doug Pardue; Mary Fricker

  2007

• Bulletproofing Your Investigation

  Investigative reporting is only as powerful as the truth it tells. Even the smallest error in a media investigation can be used by critics to devalue the entire project. Hall offers advice about how to make sure your investigation is error-free. The tips include "Ask tipsters why they want you to do the story" and "Keep going back to your main sources, quizzing them again and again on points to make sure their stories stay the same." All together Hall offers 17 pointers.

  Tags: sources; anonymous sources; informants; watchdog; editing

  By Dee J. Hall

  2007

• Top 10 Legal Threats to Journalists and How to Fight Back

  This tipsheet reviews the top ten legal threats to journalists, including libel, prior restraint and disclosure of confidential sources. For each threat, the tipsheet gives some recent examples.

  Tags: legal issues; ethics; law; fabricated stories; anonymous sources

  By Eve B. Burton, Walt Bogdanich, Thomas B. Kelley, David B. Smallman

  2005

• Authenticity: Investigating tipsters, bloggers, and web sites

  This tipsheet offers ten tips to help reporters validate their sources. Wilson suggests finding public records to verify any information given by shady sources. For example, Wilson suggests looking for court records, vital records, real estate records and licensing records. For each suggestion, Wilson describes where the records can be found and why they are helpful for reporters.

  Tags: public records; internet; anonymous sources; verification; sourcing

  By Duff Wilson

  2005

• The Early Development of Journalists' Privilege

  Tobin analyzes the history of journalists' right to keep sources confidential, as it has been determined by U.S. courts. Although protecting critics of the government was undoubtedly part of what the Framers of the Constitution intended when they wrote the First Amendment, journalists' privilege has not been upheld by the courts. However, the U.S. Supreme Court's divided decisions in Branzburg v. Hayes affirmed that if it is too easy to compel journalists to reveal sources, courts will "undermine one of the central principles on which the Revolutiuonary War was waged and that has allowed the press to flourish."

  Tags: protecting sources; journalistic privilege; anonymous sources; confidentiality; history of american journalism; journalism and government; First Amendment; whistleblowers

  By Charles Tobin

  2005

• Sources

  This tipsheet is all about developing and maintaining sources. It begins with different ways to gain a source's confidence. Then, the tipsheet lists different types of sources, such as the unhappy source and the buddy source, and gives advice about how to handle each one.

  Tags: relationships; anonymous sources; interviews; background; deep background

  By Mark Skertic

  2005

• Protecting and Cultivating Sources

  In addition to listing ways to build relationships with sources, Maass offers important ideas for reporters to protect their sources. "In 20 years of investigative reporting, I've developed some ideas and guidelines on how to cultivate news sources, and more importantly, how to protect sources. I fully believe we have a moral obligation to fully counsel potential sources on how their information will be used, and on the potential consequences they may face."

  Tags: broadcast; sources; confidentiality agreement; anonymous source; unnamed source; protecting sources

  By Brian Maass

  2004

• Tips for source cultivation & maintenance

  This tipsheet not only offers ideas for building relationships with sources but also lists guidelines for using unnamed sources.

  Tags: broadcast; sources; confidentiality agreement; investigative reporting; unnamed sources; anonymous sources

  By Mark Winne

  2004

• Loosening Lips

  This tipsheet walks you through the research process leading to a good interview, how to come up with the questions, smooth interviewing techniques, and even how to warm up before your interview. From tapping your interviewee's curiosity to getting them to speak to others, to cornering liars, read about Nalder's experience on the art of interviewing. There are also tips on how to deal with reluctant people and interviewees who say: "no more questions, please," and what information not to feed to your source during an interview. Is there anything else you can do after the news story runs? Read this tipsheet and find out how to make your own work, work for you even more.

  Tags: interview; research; question; liar; anonymity; off the record; on the record; clarity; confession; storytelling; source

  By Eric Nalder

  2004

• A Promise is not Just a Promise

  Anonymous or confidential source use is on the rise. Tobin gives a short brief on the importance of keeping promises with anonymous sources and the legal implications if those promises are broken. He also offers tips for reporters on ways to maintain legality while dealing with anonymous sources.

  Tags: sources; anonymous sources; unnamed sources; confidential; legal; media law; law; lawyers

  By Charles Tobin

  2003