sourcedisclosure

Source disclosure is the practice of revealing the origins, identities, or evidentiary basis for information used in reporting, research, or public communications. It encompasses both identifying sources and disclosing the data or documents used to support claims.

In journalism, source disclosure serves to enhance credibility and enable verification, while balancing the need to protect confidential or anonymous sources when required by law or ethics. Some outlets publish named sources or provide the context under which information was provided; others use anonymous sourcing with editorial safeguards and a policy that favors attribution where possible.

In research and data science, source disclosure refers to data provenance and citation of datasets, methods, and code to enable reproducibility. Proponents argue that transparent sourcing improves accountability, reproducibility, and trust. Critics warn that extensive disclosure can endanger sources, invade privacy, or reveal sensitive information.

Ethical and legal considerations vary by jurisdiction and context. Journalistic shield laws and court orders protect anonymity, while some situations compel disclosure to prevent harm or illegal activity. Best practices include minimum necessary disclosure, documenting source reliability, and providing verifiable context without compromising safety.

Common mechanisms include attribution in articles, published source lists, data dictionaries, and metadata that track provenance. In practice, source disclosure policies aim to balance transparency with privacy and safety, and are shaped by professional standards, legal frameworks, and organizational priorities.

See also: attribution, whistleblower protection, data provenance, reproducibility, transparency.