Glossary
Anonymous source
A source whose name is withheld from publication, typically because exposure could result in harm or retaliation.
Anonymous sourcing is essential to investigative journalism (whistleblowers, intelligence-community sources) but routinely overused for ordinary political coverage where named sourcing would be feasible. Good practice: outlets should describe *why* anonymity was granted and *what role* the source has. "Sources close to the matter" without explanation is soft sourcing. The Washington Post's Watergate work, the Pentagon Papers, and modern intelligence reporting all depend on anonymous sources operating under verifiable institutional safeguards. See also: off the record.
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