AKEED, Aya Khawaldeh

News sites have again provided inaccurate information under the rubric of "leaks," sometimes quoting an "informed source." Many of them use anonymous sources in their news and reports to communicate some information, the latest incident of which was a story headlined "Nasser Judeh Nominated To Be Chief of Royal Court."

Over the weekend, many news sites reported that former Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh would be appointed as chief of the Royal Court. The sources and wording differed in each item. Some of them attributed the information to "Amman"s political parlors," while others reported it under the rubric of "leaks." Meanwhile, some sites quoted informed sources, while others opened the story by saying that "it is now certain that a decision would be issued appointing Nasser Judeh as chief of the Royal Court." Some sites depended in their story on social media sites without verifying the accuracy of reporting.

This phenomenon has been repeated in local media outlets, particularly electronic sites. In most cases, they use anonymous sources to promote some names prior to cabinet and other reshuffles. Thus, these media outlets become a part of political deliberations.

In this regard, the Jordanian Media Credibility Monitor (AKEED) is of the opinion that using anonymous sources in the news must not be a reason for opening the door wide to rumormongering and misleading and confusing society. Some journalists use anonymous sources either to achieve some political objectives or because they think it is easier to do so.  They do not wish to look for sources when they believe that they hold correct opinions or information. Thus, they attribute them to anonymous sources.

Anonymous sources should be used to protect sources when revealing their names could threaten their lives or career, especially if reporting is in the public interest. AKEED notes that using anonymous sources jeopardizes the reputation of the press, especially if the story proves to be false because the reader will conclude that the media outlet in question fabricates news and lies. On the other hand, when a story is false, but is attributed to a known source, the reader will not judge the outlet and will most likely judge the source.