I don't think you know how a newspaper works.
Posted on: December 12, 2019 at 17:13:47 CT
Zen Master Norm MU
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What we are discussing here are unnamed sources, not anonymous sources. A reporter, such as Matter, takes his story to an editor. The editor is going to scrutinize the use of unnamed sources, and papers will never publish a story with unnamed sources without the editor knowing the name of the source and background information on that person and an explanation why the person won't allow the information to be attributed to them (there are exceptions - but they are exceedingly rare). Further, when unnamed sources are used, most papers have a standard for publication that requires additional confirmation of what is being told.
As for journalists being played, journalists are well aware that they are prime targets for being played by those with objectives. In our current environment, fake stories are floated by people wanting to hurt the credibility of a news source that those people deem hostile. Sports journalists also know they are targets for being played, and they also know that when college sports are at issue, they are dealing with a bunch of nutjobs because nothing creates batsh@t crazy llike allegiance to ones' college team. Just look at this board....
And, when a true journalist is caught making up quotes or sources, they are gone, fired, out the door. The credibility of a newspaper is sacrosanct. They are well aware that what they report affects lives, can move markets, and change politics.
No, they don't always get it right, but if it is printed as a story, the factual assertions that are made have been through a process, and are not the whims of a single person.
Now blogers, talk radio, and the prime time line ups of cable news programs, they may act like journalists, but when pressed they make clear they are not because they do not adhere to the standards set forth above.
The more you know....
Edited by Zen Master Norm at 17:24:48 on 12/12/19