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Mar 09
2010
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You might hear on national news networks that “an inside source” gave them information. Or sometimes see in a news story by wire services or larger newspapers that “a source close to ‘x’ provided information based on anonymity.”
You’ll be hard-pressed to find such “sources” in The Kearney Courier. My own philosophy in my career has been that more often than not, the information is not that important if no one is willing to go on the record. It also hurts the credibility of the news organization putting out that information – especially if that information turns out wrong.
It also becomes an easy way out. Many people have a strong opinion about something or knowledge useful to a story, but for whatever reason don’t want to go “on the record” about it.
Occasionally we receive a news tip in the mail or in a voicemail that is anonymous. Most of the time there is not much we can do to follow up if we cannot get more information from the person leaving the tip. And sometimes we wouldn’t even use the person giving the tip as the source. We will not cite letters or voicemail news tips as sources without talking to those people directly first.
Also, we have received a couple letters to the editor unsigned recently. One was thanking the city crews for doing a good job clearing the streets after snow. It was never published.
This week we received another letter to the editor – signed only by “concerned parents and taxpayers” regarding the school district.
That letter will not be published in The Courier. Our letter to the editor policy on the commentary page each week in The Courier states that all letters must be signed and have a phone number for verification.
We will not publish anonymous letters to the editor. While The Courier staff feels it is important for everyone in the community to have a voice, it is not good practice to print anonymous letters or use anonymous sources.
Those who wish to contribute to The Courier are welcome to as long as they are willing to stand behind their statements and not hide behind anonymity. This better serves the community and our readers.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find such “sources” in The Kearney Courier. My own philosophy in my career has been that more often than not, the information is not that important if no one is willing to go on the record. It also hurts the credibility of the news organization putting out that information – especially if that information turns out wrong.
It also becomes an easy way out. Many people have a strong opinion about something or knowledge useful to a story, but for whatever reason don’t want to go “on the record” about it.
Occasionally we receive a news tip in the mail or in a voicemail that is anonymous. Most of the time there is not much we can do to follow up if we cannot get more information from the person leaving the tip. And sometimes we wouldn’t even use the person giving the tip as the source. We will not cite letters or voicemail news tips as sources without talking to those people directly first.
Also, we have received a couple letters to the editor unsigned recently. One was thanking the city crews for doing a good job clearing the streets after snow. It was never published.
This week we received another letter to the editor – signed only by “concerned parents and taxpayers” regarding the school district.
That letter will not be published in The Courier. Our letter to the editor policy on the commentary page each week in The Courier states that all letters must be signed and have a phone number for verification.
We will not publish anonymous letters to the editor. While The Courier staff feels it is important for everyone in the community to have a voice, it is not good practice to print anonymous letters or use anonymous sources.
Those who wish to contribute to The Courier are welcome to as long as they are willing to stand behind their statements and not hide behind anonymity. This better serves the community and our readers.
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