In today's Washington Post, there is a story headlined "Source Disclosure Ordered in Anthrax Suit" (page A2). While reading it, I was reminded of something my very first journalism professor told me during my sophomore year in college: When you use anonymous sources, you have to be prepared to protect the identities of those sources, even if it means YOU will get in trouble. Journalists have gone to jail to protect sources. Are you willing to do that?
According to this professor, if a reporter is called on to reveal sources in courtroom, and refuses to do so, they can be held accountable by law. Today's Post says: "Five reporters must reveal their government sources for stories they wrote about Steven J. Hatfill and investigators' suspicions that the former Army scientist was behind the deadly anthrax attacks od 2001, a federal judge ruled yesterday."
Sometimes anonymous sources are critical to journalism, especially, as this story pointed out, when reporters are trying to uncover secretive government actions. But, what price must be paid to do that, and are you, as a journalist, willing to sacrifice yourself for the greater good?
A reporter who reveals the identity of an anonymous source will lose credibility and will be untrusthworthy in the eyes of other possible sources. But, a reporter who stands their ground and refuses to break that promise of anonymity could face serious penalties, even jail time.
So...how dedicated are you to the fundamental purpose of journalism? Are YOU willing to go to jail for the greater good? Something to think about.
- Knowles
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment