April 9th, 2014 • Quill Archives
Says Who?
From a Malaysian air force official who didn’t want to be named in stories about missing Flight MH370 because he wasn’t authorized to speak to a “Bachelor production team insider” who tipped Us Weekly to the juicy gossip surrounding a recent contestant on the reality TV series, anonymous and unnamed sources have secured their place as staples of American journalism.
April 9th, 2014 • Quill Archives
Guidelines on Anonymous Sources
Note: Read the full Quill story, “Says Who?” on anonymous sources here. Excerpts from policy statements and/or guidelines on anonymity The Associated Press (excerpted from AP News Values & Principles): Under AP’s rules, material from anonymous sources may be used only if: • The material is information and not opinion or speculation, and is vital to the news report.
September 10th, 2013 • Quill Archives
When Race is Relevant
When nine people were shot at a Brooklyn, N.Y., house party in late June it made national headlines, even in these jaded days when we take so much violence for granted. Yet it was days before major media outlets gave any indication either of the victims’ race or that of suspects, including for a time after an arrest was made.
February 18th, 2003 • Quill Archives
A Story of Conflict
There’s one thing top editors and executives at major media outlets in North America seem to agree on: No area of international reporting receives more scrutiny – and more complaints – than coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “Fights are waged over every sentence and word,” said Bruce Drake, vice president of news for National Public Radio.
