New York Time's Policy of Confidential Sources

According to the New York Times 2004 Confidential News Sources, their main concern for using anonymous sources is the trust they uphold to their readers. The New York Times is highly regarded for its trustworthiness, and their readers demand to know as much as possible about where the information is obtained. For that reason, they observe the principle of identifying their sources by name and title or, when that is not possible, to explain why they are considered authoritative, why they are speaking to them and why they have demanded confidentiality.

Unidentified sources are only to be used in situations in which the newspaper could not otherwise print the information is considered reliable and newsworthy. Anonymity should never be offered to a source, unless in the reporting of highly sensitive stories, when the reporter has sought out a source who might face legal jeopardy or loss of livelihood for speaking to them. Also, government sources who as a matter of policy do not speak for attribution, make be used anonymously as a way to make a telephone contact, get an interview or learn a fact. In such cases, the reporter should press the source to go on record with the newsworthy information that has emerged.

It is imperative that the source has first hand knowledge of the facts, and if not they must be the authorized representative of an authority, known to the reporter, who has such knowledge. Also, anonymous sources should not be used when sources that can be named are available. Anonymity should not be granted to people who are engaged in speculation or who use it as a cover for a personal or partisan attack.

Finally, sources should not be promised that they (reporters) will refrain from additional reporting or efforts to verify the information being reported, as well as seeking comments from others on the story’s subject.