Are WaPo 'Sources' and 'Officials' Real or Fake Trump Impeachment Fuel? - Black & Blonde Media

The protection of sources, or the confidentiality of sources, for legitimate investigative journalism, is protected under international and U.S. laws.

This protection of reporters' sources in no way is intended to protect the intentional and knowledgeable dissemination of classified national security information, nor does it protect those who leak appropriately classified information.

Indeed, routine interactions between reporters and senior government officials as both "on-the-record" and "off-the-record" are often useful tools in sharing information from and with the Executive Branch.

It is the actions of elected officials, not news story information sources, that provide a basis for impeachment.

At this time, with the currently available information, it is premature and unwise to discuss impeachment based on the past 24 hours of news reports. Impeachment proceedings should be based on appropriate hearings, with facts and witness testimony.

However, legitimate investigative journalism and news reporting often has to use off-the-record and protected sources to develop their published stories. Knowledgeable sources (and legitimate whistleblowers) are a fact of investigative journalism, regardless of political party. To claim that reputable news editors should never, ever allow a story to be published without on-the-record sources and attribution is just plain wrong. Reasonable safeguards, to include properly corroboration by two or more separate sources, plus seeking comment and response within a reasonable timeframe from the subjects involved (in this case, the White House) seems appropriate journalistic practice.