Uncovering the Sources behind Europe to ChatGPT: Disclose Your Sources - WSJ

It was a typical day for the journalists at The Wall Street Journal, until something unexpected happened. The editor-in-chief received an email from a source claiming to have insider information about a major European news story. The source demanded anonymity in exchange for the information. The editor-in-chief was faced with a dilemma. How could he verify the information without revealing the source?

This scenario highlights one of the biggest challenges faced by journalists: how to protect the anonymity of sources while still maintaining the integrity of the information they provide. This challenge has become even more pressing with the rise of digital media and the increasing accessibility of information.

Real life examples of this challenge abound. In 2013, The Guardian's journalist Glenn Greenwald received leaked documents from Edward Snowden, which revealed the extent of the US National Security Agency's surveillance program. Greenwald relied on his source's anonymity to report on the story, and he faced numerous challenges from authorities who wanted to identify the source. Similarly, in 2018, The New York Times published an anonymous op-ed piece from a White House insider, causing controversy and speculation over the identity of the author.

Despite the challenges, many companies have taken steps to ensure that their journalists can protect their sources. The Wall Street Journal, for example, has a robust policy in place that includes training for journalists on how to protect sources, as well as a code of conduct that emphasizes the importance of source protection. The New York Times, similarly, has a policy that allows journalists to use anonymous sources, but only when there is no other way to obtain the information.

However, not all companies are as committed to source protection. In 2018, Sinclair, a major media company in the US, required its local news anchors to read a scripted promo that criticized "the troubling trend of irresponsible, one-sided news stories plaguing our country" and warned viewers about "fake news." The promo was widely criticized as an attempt to stifle critical journalism.

In conclusion, protecting sources is a crucial aspect of journalism, and companies should take steps to create policies that allow journalists to do their job effectively while also protecting the anonymity of sources. This will require a careful balancing act between the need for transparency and the need for confidentiality. The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times are examples of companies that have successfully navigated this balance, while Sinclair's actions illustrate the danger of prioritizing corporate interests over ethical journalism.