A local journalist (who happens to be my estranged sister) works for a newspaper that just reported on a local event that included information from an anonymous source. The organization that was called out by the anonymous source is a nonprofit that I used to work with but haven't in quite awhile (over two years) due to disagreements in policy. The journalist, saying she was "off the record" communicated to the Executive Director that she thought I was the anonymous source. Now, she also stated that she didn't know for sure that I was the source because the newspaper she works for hasn't disclosed it to her, but that I was, "the only person who would have motive or would make sense to disclose this information. This false allegation has lead to people contacting me about it and triggered my clinical anxiety and ptsd (from which I am legally federally status disabled). Is her false allegation that I am the anonymous source ethical and/or legal? Should I contact her Editor and let them know that she is making this false allegation? I live in a small town and this has caused quite a bit of drama.
Post Can a journalist legally speculate on an anonymous source of another journalist?
- Posted:
- 3+ months ago by anonymous...
- Topics:
- newspaper, journalist, ethics
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