Naming Sources in Stories - New Canadian Media
Naming sources in your stories is good journalism and what readers have every right to expect. However, some sources may have different experiences with speaking to reporters on the record. Some come from cultures and societies where they may feel vulnerable or distrusting. We believe that quotes and examples with real names attached carry more weight, lend credibility to the reporting and increase public trust in New Canadian Media. Therefore, your sources must be prepared to speak on the record, and should be pressed to do so if they refuse. When such efforts fail, reporters must decide whether to proceed with the interview.
Do not compromise and agree to use pseudonyms, which appear contrived and are by their very nature misleading. Reporters have a responsibility to get informed consent from their sources and explain the freedoms under the Charter that exist in Canada. Speaking up for oneself or your community is an essential part of democracy.
That said, there are times when reporters need confidential sources to serve the public interest. For example, sources in government sometimes give journalists information that powerful people wish to keep secret and their identities may need to be protected in order to keep their jobs. Other sources, such as underage or other vulnerable people, may require anonymity to protect them from harm.
The use of anonymous sources should be a  and subject to the following conditions:
In extremely rare cases, we may be ordered by a court to divulge confidential sources. Therefore, we must understand what we are promising. These promises should be clearly spelled out to the source so we can keep our word. The following interview protocols, if properly explained, may be helpful:
We can quote statements directly but the source cannot be named, although a general description of his or her position should be given (“a government official,” or “a party insider”).
We can paraphrase statements and generally describe the source, but we may not use direct quotes.
We may not report the information at all, just use it to help our own understanding or perspective. There is not much point in knowing something if it can’t be reported, so this undertaking should be used sparingly, if at all.
Our thanks to Prof. John Miller for drafting this guide.
August 2021