Unnamed Sources Policy

When The Africans Time may use unnamed sources, the standards for anonymity and corroboration, and the limits applied to sensitive or single-source claims.

Updated

Named, on-the-record sources are preferred. The Africans Time uses unnamed sources rarely.

Anonymous sourcing is an exception used when the information is significant, the source is credible, and there is a legitimate reason why identification is not appropriate. Anonymity does not reduce the need for verification or allow unsupported allegations to be presented as established fact.

When Anonymity May Be Considered

An unnamed or confidential source may be considered when:

  • the source's identity is known to the responsible editor;
  • the source is in a position to know the information;
  • the information has clear editorial or public-interest value;
  • the information cannot reasonably be obtained from an attributable source or document;
  • identification could create a legitimate professional, legal, personal or safety risk;
  • the reason for anonymity is legitimate;
  • the information can be corroborated where possible.

The stronger the claim, the stronger the required verification should be. Anonymous sourcing should not make weak evidence appear stronger than it is.

When Anonymity Will Not Normally Be Used

The Africans Time generally avoids unnamed sourcing for:

  • personal attacks;
  • unsupported allegations;
  • rumours;
  • promotional claims;
  • competitor attacks;
  • speculation presented as inside knowledge;
  • claims made mainly for political or commercial advantage without adequate evidence;
  • claims whose principal effect is reputational harm without sufficient verification;
  • medical, legal, financial or safety claims without reliable confirmation.

Anonymity is not granted simply because a source prefers not to be identified. The reason for withholding a name should relate to the value of the information and the legitimacy of the source's need for confidentiality.

What “Unnamed Source” Means

An unnamed source is a person whose identity is known to The Africans Time but is not disclosed publicly in the article.

This is different from an anonymous tip from an unknown person whose identity, access and credibility cannot be assessed.

An unidentified tip should not be treated as authoritative evidence. It may draw attention to a subject, but the underlying claim still requires verification from reliable sources.

Editorial Approval

The responsible editor should know the source's identity and be satisfied that:

  1. the source is credible;
  2. the source is in a position to know the information;
  3. there is a legitimate reason for anonymity;
  4. the information is important enough to justify anonymous sourcing;
  5. corroboration has been sought where reasonably possible;
  6. the published wording does not give the source more authority than the evidence supports.

Editorial approval for anonymity does not mean that every claim from the source is automatically accepted as fact.

Corroboration

Claims from unnamed sources should be corroborated where possible.

Supporting evidence may include:

  • official documents;
  • regulatory filings;
  • company records;
  • public data;
  • contracts or project documents;
  • additional independent sources;
  • on-the-record statements;
  • direct evidence.

Corroboration is particularly important where the claim could cause significant legal, financial, political or reputational consequences.

Source Descriptions

Where an unnamed source is used, The Africans Time should provide as much useful context as can safely be disclosed.

A source description may explain:

  • why the person has relevant knowledge;
  • the source's general role or relationship to the matter;
  • why anonymity was granted;
  • important limitations affecting the source's knowledge.

Descriptions should help readers assess credibility without exposing the source's identity.

Avoiding Misleading Descriptions

A source should not be described as having direct knowledge if the information is second-hand.

A source with a commercial or political interest should not be described in a way that falsely implies neutrality.

The Africans Time should not exaggerate a source's authority or access, because vague or inflated descriptions can make readers overestimate the strength of the information.

Commercial and Political Interests

Particular caution applies where an unnamed source has a commercial, political, institutional or competitive interest in the story.

An unnamed company representative, competitor, investor, lobbyist or political actor should not be allowed to use anonymity to make unsupported claims about another person or organisation.

The presence of an interested source does not automatically invalidate the information, but the source's interests increase the importance of attribution, corroboration and careful wording.

Single-Source Anonymous Claims

The Africans Time generally avoids relying on a single unnamed source for serious allegations or highly consequential claims.

Where only one confidential source is available, editors should consider:

  • the quality of the source's access;
  • whether documentary evidence exists;
  • whether another source can confirm the information;
  • whether the wording should be more cautious;
  • whether publication should wait for stronger verification.

The seriousness of the allegation should influence the level of caution applied to a single-source claim.

Sensitive Allegations

Anonymous sourcing requires additional caution where claims involve:

  • fraud or corruption;
  • criminal conduct;
  • regulatory violations;
  • financial distress;
  • investment performance;
  • health or safety risks;
  • professional misconduct;
  • serious allegations about identifiable people or organisations.

Such claims should not be published solely because an unnamed source asserts them. The more serious the potential consequence, the more important independent evidence becomes.

Right of Response

If an unnamed source makes a serious claim about an identifiable person, company or institution, The Africans Time should consider seeking a response before publication where practical and appropriate.

A response can help test the underlying allegation and identify information that may be missing or disputed. A failure to respond does not prove the allegation.

Quotes and Confidentiality

Quotes attributed to unnamed sources must accurately reflect what the source said.

The Africans Time must not:

  • invent anonymous quotations;
  • combine different people's statements into a fabricated quote;
  • alter a quotation in a way that materially changes its meaning;
  • present editorial interpretation as an anonymous quote.

The Africans Time does not publicly disclose a confidential source's identity merely because a reader, company, advertiser or other outside party requests it.

Corrections and Accountability

Confidentiality does not remove The Africans Time responsibility to review or correct a materially inaccurate published claim.

If a claim based on a confidential source is shown to be factually wrong, the publication's correction responsibilities remain in place even though the source's identity remains protected.

Readers may report concerns to [email protected].

Contact

Questions about sourcing
[email protected]
Factual concerns
[email protected]
General enquiries
[email protected]
Bole Gulf Building, Cameroon St
Addis Ababa 1000
Ethiopia

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