The Elusive "Anonymous Source" (1 Viewer)

[Touchdown There]

I can understand the media needs to use anonymous sources at times. Politics and/or corporate whistle blowing can be a dangerous game at times and protecting the identity of anonymous sources is important in a democratic society. People should not have to fear for their job or life in order for the truth to be made public. However, the sports world seems to be abusing this right.

Three main examples come to mind:

[*]Jason Cole's story on Peyton Manning's neck.

[*]Jets players whining about Sanchez to the NY Daily News.

[*]ESPN's Schefter using an anonymous source in the squabble between the Browns and the hard running, Jesus-loving, truck-towing Hillis.

Here is the real problem with using an anonymous source in sports reporting: the general public automatically assumes that the anonymous source is correct. In reality, these sources are using the media in contract and personnel disputes.

Peyton Manning says he is going to play football in 2012, but no one is listening. Santonio Holmes should not be allowed to whine about his QB under the guise of an "anonymous source", even if he is right. No one should expect Hillis to play a game of NFL football while severely dehydrated and sick, regardless of his contract.

In the world of sports reporting it is time for the media to take a stand. No more anonymous reporting. Stop being played like a chump by NFL management and players alike. What say you Shark Pool?

 

[cvnpoka]

http://blogs.thescore.com/tbj/2010/07/08/tbj-exclusive-multiple-sources-uncovered/

 

[Bri]

I can understand the media needs to use anonymous sources at times. Politics and/or corporate whistle blowing can be a dangerous game at times and protecting the identity of anonymous sources is important in a democratic society. People should not have to fear for their job or life in order for the truth to be made public. However, the sports world seems to be abusing this right.

Three main examples come to mind:

[*]Jason Cole's story on Peyton Manning's neck.

[*]Jets players whining about Sanchez to the NY Daily News.

[*]ESPN's Schefter using an anonymous source in the squabble between the Browns and the hard running, Jesus-loving, truck-towing Hillis.

Here is the real problem with using an anonymous source in sports reporting: the general public automatically assumes that the anonymous source is correct. In reality, these sources are using the media in contract and personnel disputes.

Peyton Manning says he is going to play football in 2012, but no one is listening. Santonio Holmes should not be allowed to whine about his QB under the guise of an "anonymous source", even if he is right. No one should expect Hillis to play a game of NFL football while severely dehydrated and sick, regardless of his contract.

In the world of sports reporting it is time for the media to take a stand. No more anonymous reporting. Stop being played like a chump by NFL management and players alike. What say you Shark Pool?

It's rare that a reporter would use an anonymous source. Shefter probably used 5000 sources and two anonymous this past year. Reporters have to answer to a sports editor, a (head) editor, and a publisher-if not more supervisors at the paper or news organization. "Anonymous source" will rarely "fly" with those types.

In your second link, it seems likely that stating the sources would have created an even worse conflict.

In the first article, it's possible Peyton asked to not be listed as a source. I would totally figure that a publisher wouldn't allow a huge story like that without knowing(the publisher asking the reporter) who the source was.

 

[Daywalker]

If their is one public sphere that I don't give two ####s whether annonymous sources are used it's sports.

 

[Sweet Love]

http://blogs.thescore.com/tbj/2010/07/08/tbj-exclusive-multiple-sources-uncovered/

He lost me with the ring on his middle finger...just don't like it.