Trust is something that comes difficult for people when thinking
about journalism. There is this skepticism and paranoia that surfaces the
minute you ask someone if you can ask them a few questions for a story. As I
was approaching sources for my in-depth drug piece, I found I had to be agile
and careful of how I presented my story. If my interviewee began to look uncomfortable
or nervous after I popped the question, I quickly added “I can keep you
anonymous, leave out your last name, make one up…ANYTHING. TALK TO ME ABOUT
YOUR DRUGS.” It’s not like this was being published in the Washington Post or
something. Eventually when people started letting down their guards and talking
to me, I realized how much power I had as a journalist. Suppose the story turns
out really well and I want to publish it somewhere, but I promised to keep my
sources anonymous? I would have to keep my word, even if it meant forfeiting a
story in print. We got the power, people. Let’s not abuse it.
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