Shine the light on source’s names
Published: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 6:09 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 6:09 p.m.
To The Editor: We are required to sign our names on letters to the editor in order to get them published.
This newspaper and other media routinely use information provided by unidentified sources “speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.” Sources that are not willing to be quoted by name must be regarded as lacking credibility and courage. Often the information they provide requires subsequent correction or retraction after the damage of the faulty initial report is already done.
The names of sources should always be attached to the information they have provided. Without a name the anonymous report must be considered a simple rumor or gossip.
The Times-News routinely calls for the state and local government to abide by the “sunshine laws.” How about a little sunshine on the sources you use? You cannot have it both ways.
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