Guide on Confiendtial Sources
What to do and How to Handle Confidential Sources
What is a Confidential Source?
When you use Confidential Sources...
The source must give a story that concerns the public
You have to be sure there is no other way to get information from the source on the record
Verify that the source has good knowledge of the story.
Reveal to the public why the source cannot be named and what, if any, promises made in order to get the information needed for the story.
If you name the source, they may not help you anymore.
Ask carefully so you don’t give away anything about the source
How Confidential Sources Want To Be Known As
Questions To Think About...
- Does your source help give accurate information for your story?
- If you are sued, will the source come forward and be named?
- What would be the public’s reaction to the information if they knew the source’s identity and motive?
- If you are covering the source, will you use techniques to protect him/her?
- Will the source be easy to identify after the protection techniques?
- Are you following the policy at your newsroom?
- What would be the public’s reaction to the information if they knew the source’s identity and motive?
- Is the information logical and supported by evidence? Is it mainly facts or it based on opinions?
- How close does it relate to the topic you're searching for?
Does the source have any political or religious views?
Is the source dealing with a special group that could give one side of the view?
Example of A Confidential Source
Guide on Evaluating Sources
When Evaluating Sources...
To figure out how to evaluate sources, you need to know if you can prove it in government records or any other type of document.
You also need to know if you can confirm it in further research with other sources
Figure out if your source has someone else that knows what he knows.
Look into his background to see if he is reliable enough to be a source.
Questions To Think About...
- Is there a point to why he gave the information?
- Does any of the information seem questionable?
- Does the source explain the source?
- Do have a close relationship with a source?
- Why this source?
- Is there an expert on that field of information and could give a look into it and verify the info to my source?
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Citation (Websites Used)
Steele, Bob. "Guidelines for Evaluating Sources." RTDNA. Radio Television Digital News Association, 2013. Web. 23 May 2013. <http://www.rtdna.org/content/evaluating_sources>.
Steele, Bob. "Guidelines for Using Confidential Sources." RTDNA. Radio Television Digital News Association, 2013. Web. 23 May 2013. <http://www.rtdna.org/content/confidential_sources>.
"Chapter 60: Sources & Confidentiality." Chapter 60: Sources & Confidentiality. David Ingram and Peter Henshall, 2008. Web. 23 May 2013. <http://www.thenewsmanual.net/Manuals Volume 3/volume3_60.htm>.
Tompkins, Al. "Guidelines for Interviewing Confidential Sources." Poynter. The Poynter Institute, 13 Aug. 2003. Web. 23 May 2013. <http://www.poynter.org/uncategorized/1755/guidelines-for-interviewing-confidential-sources-who-when-and-why/>.
"Tips for Evaluating Sources." Tips for Evaluating Sources. Bedford/ St. Martin's, n.d. Web. 23 May 2013. <http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/tips-for-evaluating-sources.htm>.