Not everyone understands “off the record” or “on background” to mean the same things. If a reporter other than the bylined staffer contributes anonymous material to a story, that reporter should be given credit as a contributor to the story.Īll complaints and questions about the authenticity or veracity of anonymous material – from inside or outside the AP – must be promptly brought to the news manager's attention.
Stories that use anonymous sources must carry a reporter's byline. We should just state the information as fact. And we should not attribute information to anonymous sources when it is obvious or well known. We must not say that a person declined comment when that person the person is already quoted anonymously. We should be as descriptive as possible: "according to top White House aides" or "a senior official in the British Foreign Office." The description of a source must never be altered without consulting the reporter. The story also must provide attribution that establishes the source's credibility simply quoting "a source" is not allowed. If the story hinges on documents, as opposed to interviews, the reporter must describe how the documents were obtained, at least to the extent possible. And, when it’s relevant, we must describe the source's motive for disclosing the information. We must explain in the story why the source requested anonymity. In rare cases, one source will be sufficient – when material comes from an authoritative figure who provides information so detailed that there is no question of its accuracy. Stories should be held while attempts are made to reach additional sources for confirmation or elaboration. The AP routinely seeks and requires more than one source when sourcing is anonymous. At the end of the interview, the reporter should try once again to move onto the record some or all of the information that was given on a background basis. If the source wants to set conditions, these should be negotiated at the start of the interview. Reporters should proceed with interviews on the assumption they are on the record. Only after they are assured that the source material has been vetted by a manager should editors and producers allow it to be used. The manager must know the identity of the source, and is obligated, like the reporter, to keep the source's identity confidential. The manager is responsible for vetting the material and making sure it meets AP guidelines. Reporters who intend to use material from anonymous sources must get approval from their news manager before sending the story to the desk. The source is reliable, and in a position to have direct knowledge of the information. The information is not available except under the conditions of anonymity imposed by the source.ģ. The material is information and not opinion or speculation, and is vital to the report.Ģ. Under AP's rules, material from anonymous sources may be used only if:ġ. When a newsmaker insists on background or off-the-record ground rules, we must adhere to a strict set of guidelines, enforced by AP news managers. Whenever possible, we pursue information on the record. Transparency is critical to our credibility with the public and our subscribers.
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