News question

[chipy]

when the news websites online tell a story and quote someone as anonymous because he/she isn't allowed to speak on the matter, does that anonymous person (who gave the info to the news company) get any money from the news/media?

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

It's bad practice to pay your sources in any case, so generally no. But a journalist has to do what needs to be done to get the story.

 

[chipy]

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer
It's bad practice to pay your sources in any case, so generally no. But a journalist has to do what needs to be done to get the story.

godlessastronomer, thanks. is it bad practice from an ethical standpoint or is there another reason that it's bad?

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

It can lead to unreliable sources. I'm certainly no expert, but just from the bits and pieces I've read, so please someone correct me if I'm wrong. When you start paying a source you alter their motives for giving you information. They will start to tell you what you need to hear to pay them more.

 

[GroundZero]

Well, I could tell you the answer, but it'll cost you 50 bucks and you can't use my name since I'm not authorized to tell you that information...

 

[rudeguy]

I don't know...who are you going to trust more? A guy who is getting paid or a guy who has some kind of vengeance?

I don't believe half of what I hear on the news. Its all spun one way or another no matter what the source.