Yes, that’s how reporting with anonymous sources works. The person writing the article knows who they are and verified that they’re “close to Biden”. You just have to determine whether you think the author is just making it all up.
Let’s say you’re a journalist. You have an in with Antony Blinken and, let’s say, Karine Jean-Pierre. They both want to tell you the same thing, and you want to report it. You know they are valid sources, but you and they both know there would be HUGE blowback (personally and professionally) if they were attributed by name.
What’s your alternative, and how realistic is that?
Perhaps, but maybe a rumor that should be taken more seriously than what your weird neighbor down the street says.
Yes, it could be made up bullshit still but then you can look at the journalist themselves. Where do they work? Do you trust that source? Why or why not?
Is there a “journalist score” somewhere that rates journalists rumors over time as fact or fiction?
Are youfamiliar with the journalist in OPs article? Can you attest to their validity in their reporting? Do you have previous rumors they’ve reported that ended up true? How often are their reported rumors fact vs lie?
Yes, that’s how reporting with anonymous sources works. The person writing the article knows who they are and verified that they’re “close to Biden”. You just have to determine whether you think the author is just making it all up.
Not really journalism. Skepticism if anything.
Its barely journalism though. Facts are better than rumors.
Let’s say you’re a journalist. You have an in with Antony Blinken and, let’s say, Karine Jean-Pierre. They both want to tell you the same thing, and you want to report it. You know they are valid sources, but you and they both know there would be HUGE blowback (personally and professionally) if they were attributed by name.
What’s your alternative, and how realistic is that?
Report away, its still rumors if it isnt attributed.
Perhaps, but maybe a rumor that should be taken more seriously than what your weird neighbor down the street says.
Yes, it could be made up bullshit still but then you can look at the journalist themselves. Where do they work? Do you trust that source? Why or why not?
Is there a “journalist score” somewhere that rates journalists rumors over time as fact or fiction?
Are youfamiliar with the journalist in OPs article? Can you attest to their validity in their reporting? Do you have previous rumors they’ve reported that ended up true? How often are their reported rumors fact vs lie?
There has to be data somewhere, right?
Not to my knowledge, but it was a secret informant and journalist who basically brought down Nixon. I’m not saying this story is or is not trustworthy, but I am saying this kind of reporting with anonymous but credible sources is nothing new.
Recency is irrelevant, validity is what im looking for