Named, on-the-record, attributable sources are preferred. Shake Nutrition uses unnamed sources rarely and only when confidentiality serves a legitimate editorial purpose.
When Anonymity May Be Considered
May Be Considered When
- the information is important to readers;
- an equally reliable named source is not reasonably available;
- the source has a credible basis for knowing the information;
- the responsible editor knows the source's identity and relationship to the subject;
- there is a legitimate reason for confidentiality;
- corroboration is sought where reasonably possible.
Will Not Normally Be Used For
- competitor attacks without accountability;
- promotional claims disguised as sourcing;
- personal attacks;
- unsupported speculation;
- material claims without supporting evidence;
- ordinary marketing statements that could be attributed;
- unsupported health claims;
- attempts to manipulate a review or ranking.
Decision Standard
| Question | Editorial standard |
|---|---|
| Is the information important? | Anonymity should serve meaningful reporting rather than trivial convenience. |
| Does the source know? | The editor should understand the source's reliable basis of knowledge. |
| Why anonymity? | There should be a legitimate reason for confidentiality. |
| Can it be corroborated? | Independent confirmation should be sought where reasonably possible. |
| Could the claim cause harm? | Serious health, safety, legal, financial, or reputational claims require a higher evidentiary threshold. |
Editorial Approval and Corroboration
The responsible editor should know the identity of an unnamed source before publication. One anonymous source should generally not be the sole basis for a serious or sensitive allegation when corroborating evidence can reasonably be obtained.
Corroboration may come from documents, records, data, additional sources, direct observations, or other credible evidence.
How a Source May Be Described
Readers should receive enough context to understand why the source may know the information without revealing the identity. A description may refer to the source's relationship to the subject, professional context, basis of knowledge, or reason for confidentiality where appropriate. Descriptions should not be misleading.
Health, Safety, and Serious Allegations
Anonymous sourcing is generally unsuitable as the sole support for consequential claims about medical treatment, supplement effectiveness, food contamination, allergens, product safety, recalls, serious adverse effects, fraud, misconduct, or dangerous products. Such claims ordinarily require documentary, scientific, regulatory, or other reliable evidence.
Company and Competitor Claims
Anonymous statements from companies, competitors, agencies, retailers, or other commercially interested parties receive additional scrutiny. The source's commercial interest should be considered when evaluating credibility and motive.
Attribution Terms
- On the record
- Information may be attributed to the named source.
- Background
- Information may be used under an agreed description rather than the source's name.
- Off the record
- Information is not for publication under the agreed terms.
Confidentiality, Documents, and Corrections
If Shake Nutrition agrees to protect a source's identity, identifying information should be handled with appropriate care. Documents or data supplied by an unnamed source should still be evaluated for authenticity, context, completeness, manipulation, relevance, and corroboration.
The use of an unnamed source does not remove the obligation to correct a verified factual error.