Overseas tabloids and all that jazz

In the Guardian article "Why Kerry should sue the sun," issues of transparency were apparent. The story goes back and forth between the Drudge Report and the Times of London "libeling" John Kerry.

The Drudge Report, claiming 15 million readers, alleged that a young "intern" had a "mystery relationship" with Kerry and that several major US news organizations were already investigating. But none published a word, though political society in Washington and New York was instantly consumed with gossip.

A little transparency would have been helpful here. Disclosing sources is a hot-button issue, especially in gossip stories. Recently, at The Ithacan, we published a story using unnamed stories. Later we discussed the rules of using anonymous sources:

Procedures for using anonymous sources:

1. Attempt to convince the source to speak on the record. If that fails,

2. Attempt to confirm the information with sources willing to be named and with documents. If these aren’t available,

3. Confirm the information with multiple independent sources, even if those sources, too, will only speak on condition of anonymity.

4. Provide an explanation of why the source was granted anonymity.

5. Allow anyone discussed in the story the opportunity to fully respond to statements made about them.

I think when dealing with a public figure, disclosing sources is absolutely necessary.