He Said What? Journalists Shy Away From Identifying Sources
April 24, 2006 · By Greg Farries
A rather disturbing trend has descended upon journalism lately – many of the news stories published by news outlets contain nothing more than conjecture and speculation from unnamed sources.
For example, take a look at this story written by F. Abbas Rana at The Hill Times.
Note the language that is used:
one top Conservative, who did not want to be identified, told The Hill Times last week.
Some Liberals agree.
said one top Liberal who also did not want to be identified.
Tory insiders say they believe…
However, sources agreed…
Political insiders are waiting to see…
However, one Liberal said…
Yet, some Liberals say…
Moreover, The Hill Times reported last week (April 17) that several Liberal Senators…
however, another top Liberal also told…
one Liberal said despite…
The Liberal said some Liberals…
But federal Liberals also believe Prime Minister Harper’s…
Considering the amount of unnamed sources available in this article, it suddenly becomes hard to take what is written at face value. Without knowing the names of the various individuals cited and paraphrased in the article, how can I, or anyone else for that matter, be sure what is being reported is factually correct?
What qualifications are required in order to be considered a Tory or Liberal insider or a top Liberal or Conservative? Do journalists request to see a party membership card before proclaiming a source a Liberal, Conservative, NDP, etc?
At what point do articles like this one cease to be a news item and revert to a gossip column?
. Just in case you weren’t sure. Greg’s curiosity about the Jews is answered by a right-wing neo-con. Now Greg understands. Holden notices a terribly, terribly disturbing trend in journamalism these days –unsourced conjecture and speculation. Holden is also stunned to learn that red-light cameras could be nothing more than (gasp! horrors!) a cheap cash grab. Pete gets way too Freudian. Tune in next week when Holden is taken aback by Stephen Harper’s recent lack of accountability and
Absolutely right on the money. There are more of these stories everyday. That is because Mr. Harper is not meeting the media’s insatiable demand for news. Therefore if they can’t get it they will invent it. I guess this is what the media means when it says if the government doesn’t talk they will have dig it up in other ways.
I heard it on good authority that all journalists are useless, arrogant, losers who are too lazy, unskilled, stupid and untalented to get a job doing anything useful. The person asked not to be named. The source also went onto say that Journalism schools are for morons who are too dumb to study hard science. I’m sorry. I can’t reveal the source of this information.
HEY! Don’t blame me! I’m just the messenger!
I agree with John