Section 4
Sources
The strength of journalism depends upon the quality of its sources
GSR seeks to identify the evidentiary basis of its reporting wherever practicable.
Primary sources are preferred where available. These may include official documents, court records, legislation, election authorities, government statements, direct interviews, eyewitness material, original data and verified material gathered by GSR correspondents.
Secondary sources may include established news organisations, academic research, professional publications and other credible reporting.
Attribution
GSR should identify the source of significant information wherever doing so is possible and appropriate.
Where GSR relies materially upon reporting first established by another news organisation, appropriate attribution should be provided.
Anonymous and confidential sources
Anonymous sourcing should be used cautiously.
The identity of a source may be withheld where there is a legitimate reason for confidentiality and the information is sufficiently important to justify publication.
GSR should consider the source’s access to the information, reliability, possible motivation and whether independent corroboration is available.
Anonymity must not be used merely to permit unsupported accusation.
Documents
Possession of a document does not automatically establish its authenticity or prove every assertion contained within it.
Documents should be evaluated according to provenance, authenticity, context and evidentiary significance.
Social media
Social-media posts are sources — not automatic proof.
Viral photographs, videos, screenshots, audio recordings and claims should not be treated as verified merely because they are widely circulated.
Where GSR cannot independently establish material circulating online, it should either refrain from publishing it or clearly describe its unverified status.