Unnamed Sources Policy

Why Named Sources Are Preferred

Named sources improve accountability and allow readers to evaluate:

• who made the statement;
• whether the source has direct knowledge;
• whether the source has authority to speak;
• whether a commercial or personal interest exists;
• whether the statement can be checked against other evidence.

Public attribution is generally stronger than a vague reference to an insider or person familiar with a matter.

A named source does not automatically make every claim correct, but it gives readers and editors a clearer basis for evaluating the statement.

Current NGB Practice

NGB does not use anonymous sources as a normal reporting model.

NGB does not publish a factual claim merely because it was supplied by:

• an anonymous social-media account;
• an unnamed forum user;
• a person claiming to be an insider without verifiable evidence;
• an unidentified employee, contractor or competitor;
• an unattributed email or message;
• a source whose identity and knowledge cannot be evaluated.

The policy does not prevent NGB from examining a public rumour as a subject. It prevents the rumour from being presented as confirmed evidence without verification.

Confidential Tips and Leads

NGB may receive confidential tips, documents or messages.

A confidential tip may be used as a starting point for further reporting, but it does not automatically become publishable evidence.

Publication should be supported by:

• an attributable statement;
• an official announcement;
• a verifiable document;
• authentic technical material;
• first-hand observation;
• independent confirmation;
• multiple pieces of evidence establishing the same fact.

The role of a tip is to identify something that may require investigation, not to replace the evidence needed for publication.

On the Record, Background and Off the Record

On the Record

Information may be published and attributed directly to the named source.

Background

Information may be considered under terms agreed before the substantive conversation.

Off the Record

Information described as off the record is not intended for publication. NGB must agree to that condition before receiving the information.

A source cannot automatically make previously supplied material confidential after it has been provided.

Clear terms help avoid later disagreement about whether information may be quoted, paraphrased or used only to guide further reporting.

When We Avoid Unnamed Claims

NGB does not use anonymity for:

• personal attacks;
• unsupported allegations;
• reputation harm;
• promotional claims;
• competitor attacks;
• unverified release dates or cancellations;
• unconfirmed legal, medical, financial or safety claims;
• rumours published mainly for attention.

Anonymity should not be used to make a weak claim appear more authoritative than the available evidence supports.

Editorial Approval

Confidential information must not be published without editorial review.

The editor should consider:

• whether the person’s identity is known to NGB;
• whether the person has direct knowledge;
• whether the information can be independently verified;
• whether the source has a motive or conflict;
• whether publication could cause disproportionate harm;
• whether an on-the-record source is available;
• whether the claim is important enough to justify further reporting.

Knowing a source’s identity privately does not remove the need to test the claim itself.

Corroboration

Information supplied anonymously should be corroborated wherever possible.

Corroboration may require:

• official records;
• technical data;
• supporting documents;
• direct company statements;
• independent confirmation;
• first-hand testing or observation.

NGB avoids serious allegations based on a single anonymous claim.

Two sources are not necessarily independent when both rely on the same original rumour or document.

Documents and Leaked Material

A document supplied by an unnamed person is not automatically authentic.

NGB may consider:

• the document’s origin;
• dates and formatting;
• metadata where available;
• consistency with known facts;
• whether the material has been altered;
• whether private information should be removed;
• whether the affected party should be contacted.

A document can be genuine while still being incomplete, outdated or misleading without context.

Source Motives

A source may provide information because of public interest, personal concern, commercial advantage, retaliation or an attempt to influence coverage.

Motive does not automatically make information false, but it may increase the need for verification and context.

Editors should consider both what the source knows and why the source wants the information published.

Confidentiality and Source Protection

NGB does not promise confidentiality automatically.

When confidentiality has been expressly agreed, NGB should take reasonable care not to disclose identifying information unnecessarily.

No online communication method can guarantee absolute confidentiality or security.

NGB does not promise to reveal a confidential source merely to answer reader criticism.

Reader Trust

Reader trust is better protected by clear attribution, transparent uncertainty and verifiable evidence than by vague references to unnamed insiders.

NGB therefore aims to:

• use named sources where possible;
• avoid presenting rumours as facts;
• explain the basis of important claims;
• identify limitations;
• correct sourcing errors;
• decline publication when claims cannot be verified responsibly.

Report a Sourcing Concern

Email:

[email protected]

Please include the article URL, the statement or source description involved and supporting information.