--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was collecting material for a…" description: "\"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 t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca7/simon-hoggart-10883_add_when-i-was-collecting-material-for-a-pol_1538907.jpg" --- # 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…” quote by Simon Hoggart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca7/simon-hoggart-10883_add_when-i-was-collecting-material-for-a-pol_1538907.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca7/simon-hoggart-10883_add_when-i-was-collecting-material-for-a-pol_1538907.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca7/simon-hoggart-10883_add_when-i-was-collecting-material-for-a-pol_1538907.jpg) > “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.” [Simon Hoggart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-hoggart/) ## 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 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gossip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gossip/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I sometimes read in a gossip column that I was at a party when I was in Europe at the time. It sometimes feels…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/i-sometimes-read-in-a-gossip-column-that-i-was-at-a-party-when-i-was/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [Art goes on in your head. 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