Journalism | Gustavo Gorriti | The importance of sources, by Mariza Zapata Vásquez | OPINION

The use of sources in journalistic routines goes beyond the task. They are an essential part of the being of this profession, it is an inalienable right and duty, without them we cannot comply with the rules of truthfulness that all quality information requires or guarantee information pluralism. Because it is the sources, states Glasser, L. (1992), that provide not only the meaning and content of the information, but also the argumentation and subsequent reactions, rejections and criticisms. These, if they are appropriate, provide balance because they provide different perspectives and approaches to the events narrated, and contribute to a better understanding of the stories.

Without sources, it is not possible to fulfill the daily routine of searching for the truth as an ethical attitude of journalists, nor to achieve that objectivity in which the journalist leaves his previous judgments to adapt to the reality communicated. The sources help the journalist to define his purpose as a supervisor, mediator and monitor of public life; and, as Chilean professor María José Lecaros states, they also contribute to the adversary role, which is why the media maintain a permanent argument against what is proposed and disseminated by political power. Building different but prudent positions through sources will be beneficial for citizens who need to know how public money is managed, for example.

In written discourse, on video and in images, what is said by the sources is linked to construct interpretive formats (reports, informative notes, interviews, etc.) that lead to debate and controversy about the origin and consequences of certain events. Journalists become a vehicle to provide this exchange of ideas and investigative journalism finds in this routine an effective and courageous method to question the actions of government officials in power.

For all this, the journalist, from the perspective of the being and work of the profession, establishes a link, an agreement of reliability, confidentiality and respect with the source that cannot be broken, which means that it cannot be revealed if the if required. Regardless of the legal position, sources must be protected because they are part of the ethical commitment that the profession demands because they bring us closer to the truth and, consequently, through them “the field of freedom is expanded,” Lecaros emphasizes. .

Hence, it is worrying and dangerous for the journalistic profession that the Public Ministry demands, as has been reported, that journalist Gustavo Gorriti lift the secrecy of communications as part of an investigation initiated following the statements of former advisor Jaime Villanueva. The request, as is evident, breaks the protection of the right not to reveal sources, and the Peruvian Press Council and other related institutions have done well to speak out against it.

Let us remember that investigative journalism and its diligent and patient contrast and verification routines are what has followed in the footsteps of the corrupt efforts of presidents and officials in recent decades. And it is the journalists, through their reports, who have exposed the lies and doublespeak of our rulers.

Our oversight function legitimizes our daily work and strengthens the mission we have in a free and democratic society.

*El Comercio opens its pages to the exchange of ideas and reflections. In this plural framework, the Diario does not necessarily agree with the opinions of the columnists who sign them, although it always respects them.