To trust or not to trust
An anonymous source is a common phrase that is often seen throughout journalistic articles, especially entertainment type pieces including gossip magazines and online sites.
Infographic: Eva London
According to the AP Style Book, a 2005 study of 10,000 news reporters showed that about 13 percent of front-page stories were based, at least partly, on anonymous sources. Interviewees have a right to go on or off the record with whatever information they may have pertaining to a reporter’s story. It is up to the reporter to determine if the information is good enough to possibly have to face legal action further down the road.
The issue with using anonymous sources is the lawsuits that can develop as well as a credibility issue. Many stories of anonymous sources have brought on libel accusations on news organizations, which lead to the demand to know who these anonymous sources are.
The issue with revealing these anonymous sources is the liability of breach of agreement. The AP Style Book says a reporter ho reveals the name or identity of someone who was promised confidentiality can be held liable for breach of agreement. These problems arise when such agreements are made and the reporter fails to clarify what exactly the agreement is.
Another problem that reporters and news organizations as a whole may face is the issue of credibility. This is something very prevalent in entertainment news type journalism. Since many publications run off of and feed into gossip, many times the source of the information is anonymous or a ‘close acquaintance to the subject’.
Most often celebrities will try to keep certain information from the media and it is that type of information that readers find out about from these mysterious people who seem to have a wealth of knowledge about a particular celebrity.
Story on US Magazine's website Photo: Eva London
A great example of this happens a lot in relation to celebrity relationships when reporting on who is together and who is heading to Splitsville. In recent entertainment news, reports swarmed the internet that supermodel Heidi Klum and husband singer Seal were headed for divorce after six years of marriage, which produced three young children. US Magazine reported that those rumors were not true citing a ‘close friend to the couple’ who said, “Nothing is finalized or for sure. Seal flew back from the UK yesterday and he and Heidi are in the house together now,” friend close to the couple tells Us. “They’ve had a very rough road lately. They’re either madly in love or having crazy fights.”
“Using an anonymous source is more tedious for the writer. One reason is because they have to work harder to prove their credibility.” Said Hope Lockett a college student who keeps up with and reads both entertainment and traditional news articles.
“Their publisher must also be noted as credible. Many of us would believe that the information from an anonymous source is factual if we read it in the NY Times or Times Magazine, but if we read a story from Starz Magazine or US Weekly we would be less likely to believe it.”
Lockett also said she would search out other news sources or wait for follow up articles if she were to read an article that used an anonymous source.
Journalists need to know what risks are involved before utilizing an anonymous or confidential source and make sure that the information is valuable enough to move forward despite possible legal actions.
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