Hire people smarter than you are and encourage them to bloom.
Ben BradleeRead
Sure, some journalists use anonymous sources just because they’re lazy, and I think editors ought to insist on more precise identification even if they remain anonymous.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of accountability in journalism, suggesting that even anonymous sources should be clearly identified when possible.
Ben Bradlee's quote reflects on the ethical responsibilities of journalists and editors. He critiques the use of anonymous sources as a shortcut for lazy reporting, urging for greater transparency and diligence in identifying sources to maintain journalistic integrity. This perspective underscores the necessity of accountability in media, highlighting that even when anonymity is warranted, there should be a commitment to thorough identification to uphold the credibility of the news being reported.
Themes
JournalismAccountabilityIntegritySourcesReporting
In practice
Example use cases
During a journalism ethics workshop, this quote can be used to spark discussion about the responsibilities of journalists.
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Nothing's riding on this, except the First Amendment to the Constitution, freedom of the press and maybe the future of the country. Not that any of that matters, but if you guys f-k up again, I'm gonna get mad.
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