Yes, that’s how reporting with anonymous sources works. The person writing the article knows who they are and verified that they’re “close to Biden”. You just have to determine whether you think the author is just making it all up.
Let’s say you’re a journalist. You have an in with Antony Blinken and, let’s say, Karine Jean-Pierre. They both want to tell you the same thing, and you want to report it. You know they are valid sources, but you and they both know there would be HUGE blowback (personally and professionally) if they were attributed by name.
What’s your alternative, and how realistic is that?
Yes, that’s how reporting with anonymous sources works. The person writing the article knows who they are and verified that they’re “close to Biden”. You just have to determine whether you think the author is just making it all up.
Its barely journalism though. Facts are better than rumors.
Let’s say you’re a journalist. You have an in with Antony Blinken and, let’s say, Karine Jean-Pierre. They both want to tell you the same thing, and you want to report it. You know they are valid sources, but you and they both know there would be HUGE blowback (personally and professionally) if they were attributed by name.
What’s your alternative, and how realistic is that?
Not really journalism. Skepticism if anything.