Source Information

 Anonymous sources

It’s best to name sources, but occasionally a source will wish to remain anonymous. Please adhere to the following guidelines when handling anonymous sources.

Use only when the information provided is factual, not opinion, is important to the story, and is not available from another source.

Use only if the source is in a position to have reliable, accurate information.

Be as specific as possible as to the source’s credentials.

·        A local conservationist connected to an anti-poaching initiative expressed frustration at what they see as a lack of progress. “Our data show it’s just not working,” said the conservationist, who wishes to remain anonymous for safety reasons.

Include the source's reasons for requesting anonymity. 

Let your editor know ASAP if you run into a source who desires anonymity.

Attributions

For direct and paraphrased quotes, stick to “says/said.” Attributions such as “explained,” “acknowledged,” “claimed” etc. all carry some kind of implication.

Put the subject before “says/said,” unless introducing them or adding information.

·        “The results are compelling,” Chapman said.

·        But also: “The results are compelling,” said Tracy Chapman, lead author of the new study.

·        And: “The results are compelling,” said Chapman, adding that the model can be extrapolated to a larger population.

For quotes heavy in figures or data, try as much as possible to paraphrase. Save direct quotes for those quotes that are particularly compelling.

In a multisentence quote by a source speaking for the first time, put the attribution after the first sentence.

Credentials

Mentioning a source’s degree may be advisable if needed to establish their credentials. If not, then forgo. The preferred format is using a phrase rather than abbreviations.

·        The study was led by Ted Huang, who has a doctorate in evolutionary biology

We only append the title of “Dr.” to medical doctors (including veterinarians).

Titles should only be capitalized for national leaders, government ministers, provincial/state governors, and mayors. And even then, only do so if preceding the name.

·        German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, or Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor

·        program director Mark Wallace, or Mark Wallace, the program director

Other publications

Use only credible outlets as information sources in your story.

Refer to the publication by name and add a hyperlink that directs to the relevant source page.

For publications with “The” as part of the name, capitalize if that’s how they style it.

·        The New York Times

·        The Guardian

·        Los Angeles Times

Italicize the names of print publications, even if the source material is from their online page.

·        A spokesperson for the bank was quoted by Le Monde as saying

Italicize the titles of books, magazines, journals, movies and TV shows.

Use quotation marks for the titles of book chapters, magazine articles, journal papers and episodes of TV shows.

Avoid writing out the full titles of reports and studies in stories.