When I was collecting material for a political gossip…
“When I was collecting material for a political gossip column, and someone said something interesting, I would wait for them to add, 'and I don't want to read that in your magazine!' In which case I wouldn't use it. But if they didn't remember to say it, I'd nip off to the loo, write the story up, come back and change the subject.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Journalist respects a source’s wish not to be quoted, but exploits unspoken info for story
In simple terms: Respect source wishes, but use hidden info for story
Key Takeaway
Balance ethics and ambition
Themes
journalism
ethics
politics
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
ethical
practical
When to use this quote
- political reporting
- investigative writing
- media ethics
- editorial decisions
Key Concepts
source consent
information gathering
storytelling
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide when to use unverified info?
- What are the consequences of ignoring a source’s request?
A Different Perspective
Risk of breaching trust and legal issues