Journalistic Standards and Practices
IV. PRODUCTION STANDARDS
A: INFORMATION GATHERING
4. PROTECTION OF SOURCES
The Corporation strongly upholds the principle of freedom of information and considers the protection of a journalist's sources to be an important element of this principle.
Information about which the public should know is sometimes only available through a confidential source. Off-the-record discussions with journalists, for example, are often held by public figures and others. If the confidentiality of sources were not respected as a matter of principle this would inhibit the free flow of information which is essential to the vitality of a democratic society.
Information from a source who does not wish to be publicly identified may be used if the source is known to the journalist and has a prima facie credibility. However, to avoid the possibility of being manipulated to broadcast inaccurate or biased information, the journalist must carefully check the reliability of the source and must obtain corroborative evidence from other pertinent sources.
The identity and bona fides of a confidential source must be made known prior to broadcast to at least one senior editorial supervisor acceptable to the senior officer in information programming. Disclosure of sources within the journalistic line of responsibility should not be confused with public disclosure of sources.
In the event the protection of a source becomes a legal issue in any given case, the Corporation will not advise an employee to refuse to obey an order of a court. The Corporation's legal counsel, however, would be available for advice and to present legal argument in court to protect the source.
In cases involving clear danger to public safety, the Corporation itself would require that the proper authorities be immediately notified through its legal counsel.
4.3 ANONYMOUS PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
Accuracy and integrity in journalism require that the identity and credentials of an interviewee be evident to the audience.
If an interviewee or any program participant is anonymous, if the face or identity is concealed or the voice distorted, it is tantamount to concealing from the audience pertinent information required to judge that person's comments and might further the chance of irresponsible statements by the participant.
There are occasions when the value of the information (measured in terms of the importance of bringing it to the attention of the public) that can be conveyed by an anonymous interviewee or participant outweighs the objections and the technique may be used. For example, where the public identification of the interviewee may cause personal hardship, or where the interviewee is a person whose personal safety may be jeopardized by identification, anonymity may be justified.
Cases where an anonymous interview is believed to be warranted require the prior approval of the senior officer in information programming who should be provided with the name, address and bona fides of the interviewee.
