Class 9/9

Sources are a source of information

Not only people

Often, an expert witness is a person on the street

official records, reference books, police reports, press releases, databases

Types of sources

Primary sources

Someone or something at the center of a story

A witness to the crime

A first-hand written account

Secondary Sources

Someone who is not directly involved in a story but may have information regarding it

Someone who witnessed an accident

Data

Reports leaked documents, numbers, facts, and figures.

What sources to use?

It depends on the type of story.

Make sure the source is relevant to the topic.

Double-check the information from the source for accuracy.

People make mistakes, people lie, books and reports can become outdated, etc.

Consult a variety of sources to get a balanced view of the story/event.

Experts on the subject at hand

They should know more than the average person (on the specific subject)

Can help contextualize the story

Can help point you in the direction or more relevant/necessary information

Decision-makers

They can help you better understand WHY something occurred

They are the ones who should have to justify the decisions

Official documents and releases

Primary source that can be mined for quotes, data, and more

What makes a good source

Those directly impacted by the story

What unique perspective can they offer?

How to cultivate a story

Become familiar with the topic, particularly on a beat.

Specific books, websites, and people will be useful

Treat people like people, not a means to an end.

Be nice to even the lowest person in an organization.

Make it clear that you are working and that the conversation is being recorded.

Advice from Poynter

Ideally, come up with official quotes and documents you can use, and people connected to the topic.

What do sources add to a story

Depth

There is only so much a reporter can say impartially without having a quote or paraphrase.

Context

Experts and other sources can lead you down a path you were not expecting.

Reliability

Cultivating reliable and accurate sources will help you greatly in the long run.

Types of info

On the record

THe information can be used with no caveats, quoting the source by name

Off the record

The information cannot be used for publication

Background

The information can be published but only under conditions negotiated with the source. Generally, the sources do not want their names published but will agree to a description of their position. AP reporters should object vigorously when a source wants to brief a group of reporters on background and try to persuade the source to put the briefing on the record.

Deep Backgroud

The information can be used but without attribution. The source does not want to be identified in any way, even on condition of anonymity. In general, information obtained under any of these circumstances be be pursued with other sources to be placed on the record.

OTR

Quoting the source

Using the sources

Identify affilation to the story

(exact words, putting them on camera, state clearly conversation on record)

Bacground

Information can be published

No name or exact title can be used

Consult with your editor

(source close to the white house) (must be primary source even if anonymous)

OFF TR

INFORMATION CANNOT BE USED FOR PUBLICATION

NO QUOTES, NO SUMMARIZATIONS

OFF THE RECORD CAN BE CONFUSING, USE PLAIN LANGUAGE

(REMEMBER)

USE SIMPLE TERMS

EXPLAIN IF YOU'RE TALKING TO A SOURCE NOT FAMILIAR WITH JOURNALIST TERMS

SET GROUND RULES EARLY

CONSIDER WHY YOU MIGHT WANT TO INTERVIEW THEM

ALWAYS TRY TO GET INFORMATION ON THE RECORD

ALWAYS FACT CHECK, EVEN IF ON OFF OR BACKGROUND

NOT ALL SOURCES ARE USED TO WORKING WITH JOURNALISTS

Anonymous Sources

ONLY USE IN EXTREME CASES AND VERY RARE

THE PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW

IT'S OK TO NOT NAME A SOURCE IF THERE'S A CLEAR REASON, BUT ONLY THEN

QUESTION WHY THE SOURCE NEEDS ANONYMITY

DO NOT PROMISE WHAT YOU CANNOT KEEP

REPORTERS HAVE GONE TO JAIL FOR REFUSING TO NAME THEIR SOURCES. WILL YOU?

IF YOU HAVE AN ANONYMOUS SOURCE, MAKE SURE TO VERIFY IT WITH A SECOND OR THIRD SOURCE.

HOW TO FIND SOURCES

INTERNET SEARCH

CONSULT LOCAL OFFICALS AND EXPERTS

THEY ARE A SOURCE OR THEY CAN POINT YOU DIRECTIONS OF OTHER SOURCES

TALK TO PEERS AND OTHER JOURNALISTS

EXAMPLE WHAT SOURCES USED IN SIMILAR STORIES

PRESS RELEASES AND PR SPECIALIST

CONSIDER WHO IS AFFECTED BY THE STORY

GO TO THE RELATED LOCATION AND ASK AROUND

EXAMINE RELEVANT DOCUMENTS, RELEASES, MEETING MINUTES, AND SIMILAR FILES

SUBMIT A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

VETTING SOURCES

YOUR ROLE AS A JOURNALIST ISN'T TO PARROT YOUR SOURCES

THIS CAN GET YOU IN TROUBLE

IT'S ALSO BAD REPORTING