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Using these unnamed sources, if done properly, carefully and fairly, provides more accountability in government.
Bob Woodward
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Proper use of unnamed sources can enhance government accountability.

Bob Woodward emphasizes the importance of using unnamed sources in journalism to ensure government accountability. When done with care and fairness, these sources can reveal essential truths that hold political entities responsible for their actions and decisions.

Themes

AccountabilityGovernmentJournalismSourcesTruth

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about media ethics, one could quote Woodward to highlight the role of investigative journalism.

More from Bob Woodward

I don't think there will ever be a permanent truce, but I believe the media needs to be more careful and be willing to count to 10 before rushing on the air or into print.
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The legislator learns that when you talk a lot, you get in trouble. You have to listen a lot to make deals.
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The central dilemma in journalism is that you don't know what you don't know.
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I'm not going to name some of my colleagues who are very well-known for their television presentation, but they wouldn't know new information or how to report a story if it came up and bit them.
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