1. Sourcing News
© M. Grazia Busà 2013

2. *
07/16/96
Sourcing
Journalists’ stories are based on information gathered from various sources
The practice of locating and using information from sources is ‘sourcing’
Sourcing allows journalists to base stories on facts and pursue objectivity and fairness
© M. Grazia Busà 2013

3. Sources of information*
07/16/96
Sources of information
On-diary sources: contacted as part of journalists’ daily routine
Police; fire brigade; schools and community groups; city council members; business leaders; bodies of the government and the parliament, etc.
Off-diary sources: used in case of unanticipated events
Media and news agencies; cuttings from newspapers; experts in the field, victims and witnesses of events, etc.
Printed sources:
Published documents, public records, the Internet, databases, newsgroups, etc.
© M. Grazia Busà 2013

4. Reporting sources of information
Attribution of sources …
lets readers know where the information comes from
adds authenticity and authority to a story
provides readers with elements to judge ...
the quality of the information presented
whether the information is impartial or biased
Attributions can be omitted when the information is common knowledge or considered indisputable
© M. Grazia Busà 2013

5. Naming sources of information
The name and qualifications (e.g., titles) of the source are usually reported next to the quote
Sgt Smith, the local town chief police officer
Mr Jones, the school principal
Dr White, the hospital director
Qualifications are especially important if sources are people whose opinion is recognized and valued in the field
The purpose is to increase the credibility and authority of the facts reported in the quotes
© M. Grazia Busà 2013

6. *
07/16/96
Quoting sources
Sources’ information can be quoted directly or indirectly, or paraphrased.
Direct speech: what was said is reported in ‘’
‘I do not believe this is true’, said Mr Hughes
Indirect speech: the sources’ words are reported with no quotes, as a subordinate clause to the main clause
Hughes did not believe the fact was true
Paraphrase: the sources’ words can be reworded and summarised
Hughes did not believe in the likelihood of the event
Hughes was sceptical
© M. Grazia Busà 2013

7. When sources of information are left vague
Sources’ titles or qualifications are generally omitted when they are assumed to be well known to the reader:
e.g.: Einstein, Ghandi, Michael Jackson, …
When the journalist cannot assume that the source is well known, full attribution is given:
e.g., Sonia Gandhi, the Italian-born Indian politician and the President of the Indian National Congress …
© M. Grazia Busà 2013

8. Anonymous sources
Sometimes sources may be anonymous because they do not want their identity to be known
A source close to the president said …
Sources may also be left anonymous because their credibility or authority has not been checked or cannot be assumed:
A witness/a source said that …
When sources are anonymous or unqualified, other expressions in the text (e.g., modal verbs) may indicate tentativeness
A source believed it was possible that …
© M. Grazia Busà 2013