Anonymous Sources

[alfred russel]

I was commenting on your promise to not say any more.

I know. 

[The Brain]

So what's CNN's standard for use of anonymous sources?

[Josquius]

Please explain.

Not doing something because you're afraid you'll be killed for taking that action has its effectiveness drastically undermined by announcing immediately afterwards you would have done it if not for the threat.

[mongers]

The explanation has been given multiple times in other threads when you brought up the same point.

New data point for Troll farm participant.  AF, Dorsey, Sergei or whatever you call yourself in other forums.

CC, I don't think that's fair or appropriate.

[crazy canuck]

The explanation has been given multiple times in other threads when you brought up the same point.

New data point for Troll farm participant.  AF, Dorsey, Sergei or whatever you call yourself in other forums.

CC, I don't think that's fair or appropriate.

Why, we know he lies about his identity.

[PDH]

I was commenting on your promise to not say any more.

I know. 

Psst, I was hinting to drop it.

[alfred russel]

Please explain.

Not doing something because you're afraid you'll be killed for taking that action has its effectiveness drastically undermined by announcing immediately afterwards you would have done it if not for the threat.

The journalist didn't give an indication that her source was a representative.

[Grey Fox]

Is your problem with the Journalist not telling you who is the source or is it with the source wanting to be anonymous?

[alfred russel]

Is your problem with the Journalist not telling you who is the source or is it with the source wanting to be anonymous?

My problem is with the lack of verifiability, to the point stories are basically reporting gossip.

If the reporter said, "republican sources tell me that congressman joe is going to vote affirmatively on the bill," that is much different than what we have here--over the long run we can evaluate the reporter's track record of providing accurate information through anonymous sources.

[crazy canuck]

So serious question.  Do you know the historic fight journalists have waged to not reveal sources and how important that is to reporting on political corruption and incompetence?

[Sheilbh]

My problem is with the lack of verifiability, to the point stories are basically reporting gossip.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

Gossip matters - everyone in DC wants to hear the latest gossip and make political decisions based on it. Why shouldn't we be party to it too?

[Grey Fox]

Is your problem with the Journalist not telling you who is the source or is it with the source wanting to be anonymous?

My problem is with the lack of verifiability, to the point stories are basically reporting gossip.

Alright. Your issue is that you don't think it's worthy news. I understand, I have this issue with lots of things on the news too. Like every time there is a story on a fire.

[alfred russel]

So serious question.  Do you know the historic fight journalists have waged to not reveal sources and how important that is to reporting on political corruption and incompetence?

I don't think that is a serious question, because I strongly suspect you know I am.

If this journalist was legally detained and jailed for not revealing her anonymous sources for the story, I would possibly be even more upset than I am about the topic of this thread (if that is possible). Certainly we can allow journalists to be legally free to report stories using anonymous sources while still expecting them to adhere to standards while doing so.

[crazy canuck]

So what exactly the hill you want to die on?  That sources should only be protected when the story falls into a category you deem acceptable?

[The Brain]

AR, do you think the AP guide is good or bad?