When should anonymous or unnamed sources be used in reporting?

• A. Anonymous sources should be used whenever possible to protect sensitive information.
• B. Anonymous sources should be used sparingly when necessary for safety or privacy; corroborate with other sources and disclose limits to context.
• C. Anonymous sources should never be used.
• D. Anonymous sources should be identified publicly to avoid doubt.

Answer: (B)

Anonymous sources are a tool to protect individuals and enable reporting on sensitive or potentially dangerous information, but they must be used with restraint and care. They should be employed only when revealing the source could put someone at risk or violate privacy, and the information is essential to the story. When you do use them, verify the key facts through additional sources and clearly disclose the limits of the context that comes with not having a named source. This approach preserves credibility while honoring the responsibility to protect sources.

Using anonymous sources whenever possible erodes accountability and can invite misrepresentation or unchecked rumors, so anonymity should not be the default. There are legitimate scenarios where anonymity is necessary, but it should be justified, transparent about its limits, and supported by corroboration. Conversely, the idea that anonymity should never be used ignores real-world situations where the risk to a source is real. And publicly identifying anonymous sources defeats the purpose, potentially putting them in danger and dissuading others from coming forward.