When, why & howto use unnamed sources
Steve ButtryJune 18, 2016
Investigative Reporters & Editors
Links and slides• stevebuttry.wordpress.com• slideshare.org/stevebuttryContact info:[email protected]@stevebuttry
Anonymous sources
If source is truly anonymous …• Ask why• Ask how you can verify• Ask who else knows• Ask if source has documentation • Don’t use anything from the source
without verifying• Source is just a tipster
If you know source …Good reasons:• Fears for safety• Fears for job• Violating the law• Victim of crime• Not sure of facts
(again, just a tipster)
Bad reasons:• Gutless• Unaccountable• Smearing character• Carrying water• Feeding you BS
Factors to consider• Is source powerful? (More powerful than
subjects of your story?)• Is source eager (did source come to you,
or did you approach source)?• What does source have at stake?• Does source have motive to lie or give
you only part of the truth?
Factors to consider• Could the source be playing you
(especially if the source is powerful or eager to talk to you)?
• What part(s) of the story does the source know?
• What part(s) of the story does the source not know?
Opposite situations• Powerful source approaches you with
“tip,” doesn’t want to be named. (You’re being played.)
• You’re seeking sources. No one wants to talk about this story. (Confidentiality is only way to start a conversation and get any information.)
If source is eager …• Consider whether you should talk to
source at all• If you talk, push source to provide
documentation• Ask source who might talk on the record• Consider how the source might be
playing you
If source is eager …If you decide to talk to the source, be clear that you probably won’t use what he or she says.
Who should be on record?• Spokespeople• Powerful executives (off-the-record
“briefings” are an effort to play you)• People expressing opinions
If source is reluctant …• Learn why source won’t talk for the
record• Push source to provide documentation• Ask who might talk on the record• Use confidentiality to get conversation
started, see if you can persuade later to go on the record
Verifying info• Can source provide emails, documents to
quote from or refer to?• Can source steer you to on-record
source?• If the info is true, where can you find
corroboration?• Who else would know?
Verifying info• Ask internally what does it take to make
this story ready to publish?• How do we find that information?
Can you protect source?• Should you (and source) encrypt emails,
use private accounts & computers?• Should you (and source) use burner
phones?• Should you meet source privately?
(Where would you be safe?)• Don’t make promises you can’t keep
Links and slides• stevebuttry.wordpress.com• slideshare.org/stevebuttryContact info:[email protected]@stevebuttry