Unnamed Sources Policy
Learn when Currency Information may rarely consider unnamed sources, how source knowledge and motives are evaluated, and why corroboration and reader context remain essential.
Currency Information prefers named, on-the-record sources whenever possible. This policy explains when unnamed or confidential sources may be considered and how we protect reader trust. Because withholding a name reduces the reader’s ability to evaluate a source directly, anonymity requires a stronger editorial justification than ordinary attribution.
Why Named Sources Are Preferred
Named sources improve accountability, allow readers to evaluate credibility and possible interests, and are generally stronger than unsupported anonymous claims. Public attribution also makes it easier to distinguish institutional authority, direct knowledge, professional analysis, and personal opinion.
When an Unnamed Source May Be Considered
Currency Information rarely uses unnamed sources. An unnamed source may be considered only when the information is important, credible, relevant to the public interest, and not reasonably available on the record. The decision depends on the combined strength of the public value, source knowledge, risk, available corroboration, and lack of a practical on-the-record alternative.
- The responsible editor knows the source’s identity.
- The source has direct knowledge, relevant access, or documented expertise.
- Identification could create a credible professional, legal, personal, or safety risk.
- The source’s motives and possible conflicts can be assessed.
- The claim can be corroborated where reasonably possible.
When We Avoid Unnamed Sources
- Personal attacks and unsupported allegations
- Promotional or competitor claims without independent evidence
- Speculation presented as inside knowledge
- Guaranteed financial, legal, medical, or safety claims
- Claims used mainly to cause reputational harm
- Information reasonably available from a named source or public document. Anonymity should not convert rumor, promotion, retaliation, or speculation into a claim that appears authoritative.
Editorial Approval
Anonymity is not granted casually. The editor should understand how the source obtained the information, why naming the source is not practical, what interests may be involved, and what evidence supports the claim. The editor’s knowledge of the source is necessary for evaluation, but it does not remove the need to test the information itself.
A source cannot use anonymity to make unsupported claims or conceal a paid, promotional, political, or competitive interest.
Source Descriptions
When an unnamed source is used, the article should provide as much useful context as possible without revealing identity. This may include the source’s general role, how the source knows the information, why anonymity was granted, and important limitations. The description should help the reader understand credibility and limitations without using unnecessary details that could expose identity.
Corroboration
Documents, data, official statements, public records, direct observations, or additional independent sources may be required. Single-source anonymous allegations are generally avoided when the claim is sensitive, disputed, financially consequential, or reputationally damaging. Corroboration should establish that the information is independently supported rather than merely repeated by sources relying on the same origin.
Off-the-Record Information
Off-the-record information is not automatically publishable. It may guide research or identify information that must be verified through publishable sources. The terms of a conversation should be agreed before sensitive information is provided whenever practical.
Reader Trust and Corrections
Readers may report sourcing concerns to corrections@currencyinformation.org. Currency Information may review the underlying evidence without publicly identifying a confidential source.
Confidential Documents
Documents supplied by an unnamed source should be reviewed for authenticity, date, completeness, origin, and consistency with independent records. A document should not be treated as reliable merely because it appears internal or confidential.
Source Motives and Conflicts
An unnamed source may have commercial, political, professional, legal, or personal motives. The editor should consider whether the source may benefit from publication, is involved in a dispute, represents a competitor, or is attempting to influence markets or public opinion.
A motive does not automatically make information false, but it may increase the need for corroboration and disclosure of relevant context.
Sensitive Allegations
Anonymous allegations involving fraud, sanctions, solvency, regulatory action, access to funds, legal rights, financial safety, or serious reputational harm require heightened review. Currency Information may require primary documents, multiple independent sources, and an opportunity for the subject to respond. The potential harm of an error makes careful attribution, corroboration, context, and response especially important.
Protecting Confidentiality
Access to identifying information should be limited to people who need it for editorial review, verification, security, or another necessary operational purpose. Editors should avoid publishing unnecessary details that could indirectly expose the source.
No email, messaging, or storage system can guarantee absolute confidentiality. Sources should consider these risks before transmitting sensitive material.
Prohibited Practices
- Inventing an anonymous source or confidential briefing
- Misrepresenting an ordinary source as a senior official or expert
- Using anonymity to hide a paid or promotional relationship
- Using AI as an unnamed source or source of quotes
- Publishing unsupported claims solely because anonymity was requested