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Spring 2024 Chapter 4: Journalism
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Chapter 4:
Searching for Sources
• Using Documents
o Gaining access to public records.
o Can use city hall.
Ex: property records, town report
o Reporter’s handbook: gives information on how to access records.
• Deep background information: information may be used but not indication of source, not even “an employee.”
• Computer search: has changed since the book was published in 1998.
o EX: computer searches are too time consuming…
o Use a database – collection of information stored in a computer.
• On the record: information used from a source.
• Beat: specific area a reporter is assigned to cover.
• Not for attribution: information used for background.
o Source may not be identified.
• Background information: information used for background source, only given in general way (no specific name, like “the teacher” or “the janitor”.
o Regular coverage helps avoid being scooped by other reporter.
o Scooped: situation in which another reporter gets the story first.
• Freedom of Information Act
• Anonymous sources: unnamed source.
• Physical sources: research tools such as records, documents, reference materials, etc.
o A law enacted in 1966.
o Required government records be made available to the public upon request.
o Exception: those relating to national security, confidential financial data, and law enforcement.
o Clippings: previously published stories found in reference library that stores clippings of published articles.
o Also known as “the morgue”.
o Encyclopedias: for background/beginning information.
o Most famous example: Deep Throat in Watergate
o Shows why anonymous sources are sometimes necessary.
o Some journalists feel anonymous sources weaken credibility.
EX: USA Today policy is against anonymous sources.
EX: Wall Street Journal: Uses unnamed sources
• Reserves the right to release the name and identity in court.
• Human Sources: person (s) directly involved in an event.
• Open Records Law: presumes everything is public unless specifically exempted.
o Different states have different laws.
o Often exempts student records and medical files.
o Must gain trust of the sources.
o Identify yourself immediately – credibility.
o If unwilling to talk, seek sponsorship.
o Sponsorship: technique for getting recommended to a source by a third party who knows/has trust of the source.
• Tip: information passed on which needs/warrants investigation.
o Must be careful to check for accuracy.
• Reliability: must know information from source is accurate
o Consider – how did they find out this information? Can it be confirmed by another source?