Exam 2 chapter 9

Question 1

Implications of Newsweek story

Answer 1

Newsweek was informed by a “longtime reliable source, a U.S. government official who was knowledgeable about the matter” told them a disturbing story. Newsweek checked with one of their Pentagon sources who suggested a minor correction but made no other comments about the article.

• The reaction from the article was immediate, rioting had spread all over the Middle East costing 15 lives and injuring many.
• Pentagon officials told Newsweek none of the reports by investigators included any reference to what they had reported, and the original source was less sure of the information he had tipped.
• The magazine, which at first indicated it would not retract the story, was forced to acknowledge that it could no longer stand behind i

Question 2

pros and cons of using anon. sources

Answer 2

get stories you never wouldve gotten
occasions when it is justified esp. if only way to get info

risky
too lazy to find on record, risk is too great they are making things up, info is inaccurate or self serving

Question 3

self-serving and aimed at obscuring the truth

Answer 3

a leak from a high level official is a strategic move to help formulate or further policy

• if things go wrong they won’t be blamed
• when they disagree with a decision
• get on the good side of the reporter they think can be helpful in future

Question 4

what are trial balloons

Answer 4

political leaders float a bogus story so they can test which way the wind of public opinion is blowing

Question 5

journalists consider several factors before cloaking a source’s identity

Answer 5

importance of the story
motives of the sources
lack of other sources
what the competition has

Question 6

sometimes agree info is not for attribution which means

Answer 6

reporter can report but cannot use sources name

Question 7

deep background sources

Answer 7

not willing to tell them anything directly / the source will confirm information they have received from other sources

Question 8

on the background in two ways

Answer 8

source offers reporter background info that will give them a better understanding of complicated news events
background sessions are meeting between reporters and government leaders for free form discussion of the issues

Question 9

what are shield laws

Answer 9

shield reporters from having to identify their sources