Maghreb Insider 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.
Anonymous sourcing is treated as an exception because readers normally benefit from knowing who is making a claim and how that person's role or interests may affect its credibility.
Why Named Sources Are Preferred
Named sources improve accountability and allow readers to evaluate a source's role, credibility and potential interests.
Public attribution is generally stronger than an anonymous assertion because it gives readers more information about the origin of a claim and makes it easier to distinguish direct knowledge from interpretation or advocacy.
When an Unnamed Source May Be Considered
Maghreb Insider rarely uses unnamed sources.
An unnamed source may be considered when:
- The responsible editor knows the source's identity;
- The source has a clear basis of knowledge relevant to the information being provided;
- The information is editorially important rather than merely interesting or speculative;
- There is a legitimate reason the source cannot reasonably speak on the record;
- The information cannot reasonably be obtained in attributable form.
When We Avoid Anonymous Sources
- Personal attacks that cannot be supported independently;
- Unsupported allegations;
- Promotional claims;
- Unverified competitor claims;
- Speculation presented as fact;
- Claims primarily intended to damage reputation;
- Unsupported medical, legal, financial or safety claims.
Editorial Approval
Anonymity should not be granted casually. The responsible editor should understand why anonymity is necessary and whether the source has political, commercial, professional or personal interests in the story.
Knowing the source's identity allows the editor to assess access, motives and basis of knowledge even when those identifying details cannot be published.
Source Descriptions
Where possible, an article should describe why the unnamed source is in a position to know the information and why anonymity was granted without revealing identifying details.
Such descriptions should be informative without exaggerating the source's authority or providing details that would undermine the agreed confidentiality.
Corroboration
Anonymous-source claims should be corroborated where reasonably possible through documents, data, official statements or additional independent sources.
Sensitive allegations should not normally rely on a single anonymous source. The greater the potential consequence of a claim, the more important it is to assess whether additional evidence supports it.
Confidentiality
Maghreb Insider does not promise to reveal confidential source identities in response to general external requests.
Confidentiality does not prevent editors from critically examining the reliability, motives or limitations of information provided by the source.
Corrections and Concerns
Sourcing concerns can be reported to corrections@maghrebinsider.com.
General sourcing questions can be sent to editorial@maghrebinsider.com.
Publisher Address
Maghreb Insider71-75 Shelton Street
London WC2H 9JQ
England, United Kingdom