A story is only as good as its sources

As the old newsroom adage goes, “A reporter is only as good as his or her sources.” The success of a story often depends on the information a reporter gathers from sources, but what is a source and how can readers differentiate which sources are trustworthy?

A source is someone or something that provides information. An elected official or a spokesperson can be a source. On the other hand, a source does not necessarily have to be a person. Sources can even include encyclopedias or official records.

When covering a story, it is important to get sources from all different sides of the issue in order to fully educate viewers or readers on the topic. Not every source in a story has to be someone in a position of power. The average person on the street can also be a source. By giving these people a voice, journalists provide a forum for individuals who are truly affected by the story.

Each fact in a story should be attributed to a source. Journalists should clearly identify issues or limitations when gathering news, including reporting information that might come from questionable sources. Readers and viewers must understand a source’s agendas, motivations and backgrounds so they can accurately assess what is true. If members of the public are news sources, they must identify their biases and be transparent in their actions and words.

Effective communication of news and information requires synthesis of different sources into meaningful context and comprehension of its impact. Journalists must make sense of the information in the story, using the most credible and reliable resources, so audiences can make meaningful use of it, in context, with a minimum need for clarification.