What is source confidentiality?
Confidentiality
or the protection of sources,
sometimes also referred to as the confidentiality
of sources or in the U.S. as the
reporter's privilege, is a right accorded
to journalists under the laws of many countries, as well as under international
law not to reveal the sources of information sometimes for a certain purpose.
Should
the reporters keep their sources confidential?
The ability
to report the news often depends
on the ability to protect the
confidentiality of news sources
if necessary. If you cannot keep confidentiality, don’t promise it. When
a journalist faces a court issue based on information
provided by a confidential source,
however, the promise of
anonymity to that person may prevent
the reporter from relying on certain defenses.
A journalist is allowed to reveal the sources to the lawyers only. This is not
the case in confessional seal.
Conditions for allowing anonymity
Ø When
the source request
Ø If
the source is vulnerable (hatred, security or loss of job)
Ø Nature
of the information like (rape, you can not reveal the identity of the person)
Ø Investigative
story (Not allowed to reveal the source)
Effects of confidentiality on the
journalist
Using
terms such as “confidential” sources probably:
· Doesn’t
build much confidence in you.
· Words
“anonymous” or “anonymity” can hurt your credibility
Journalists should at all times try to ascertain sources of their information as much as possible. Anonymous sources should be the last option if all others have failed.
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