Unnamed Sources Policy

Terminology

• Named or on-the-record source: A person or organization whose identity may be published and whose statements may be attributed directly.
• Unnamed or anonymous source: A source whose identity is known to the responsible editor but is not disclosed publicly.
• Confidential source: A source whose identity or identifying details are protected because disclosure could create a credible risk.
• Off the record: Information that is not intended for publication or attribution under terms agreed before the information is provided.
• Background: Information that may be used under attribution conditions agreed with the source in advance.

Attribution terms should be understood by both the source and the editor before sensitive information is provided.

Clear attribution terms reduce misunderstanding between a source and the publication. The terms should describe how information may be used, not merely provide a label after the information has already been shared.

Why Named Sources Are Preferred

Named sources improve accountability and allow readers to evaluate a source’s knowledge, position, interests and possible conflicts.

Public attribution is generally stronger than an anonymous claim because readers can understand who made the statement, how the source may know the information and whether the source may benefit from publication.

EgonCoin therefore seeks named statements, official documents, public records and directly reviewable evidence wherever reasonably possible.

A named source gives readers more information with which to judge expertise, proximity, motive and accountability. That additional context generally makes the resulting claim easier to evaluate.

Our General Approach

EgonCoin rarely uses unnamed sources. Anonymous sourcing is not part of our routine publishing process.

An unnamed source may be considered only when the information is important, credible, in the public interest and not reasonably available through an attributable source.

Convenience, preference, promotional advantage or a desire to avoid accountability is not a sufficient reason for anonymity.

Editorial Approval

Anonymity must not be granted casually. The responsible editor must know the source’s identity, understand how the source obtained the information and evaluate whether the information can be obtained through named or documentary sources.

The editor should consider the potential public value, the risk to the source, the risk of publishing inaccurate information and the possible harm to people or organizations discussed in the story.

A source cannot use anonymity to avoid scrutiny while making unsupported or reckless claims.

Knowing the source’s identity allows the responsible editor to assess access, credibility, motive and risk. It does not remove the need to test the information itself.

When We Avoid Unnamed Sources

EgonCoin generally does not rely on unnamed sources for:

• Personal attacks
• Unsubstantiated allegations of misconduct
• Rumors presented mainly for speculation
• Promotional claims about a token, company, exchange or product
• Claims made by one competitor about another
• Unsupported price predictions
• Claims of guaranteed returns or risk-free outcomes
• Medical, legal, financial or security claims without reliable confirmation
• Statements intended primarily to damage a reputation
• Claims that cannot be meaningfully checked
• Market-moving statements made without supporting evidence

Anonymity is also generally inappropriate when a source is unwilling to provide evidence, explain how they know the information or allow basic editorial verification.

Source Descriptions

When an unnamed source is used, the article should provide as much relevant context as possible without revealing the source’s identity.

A description may explain:

• Why the source is in a position to know the information
• The source’s general relationship to the subject
• Why anonymity was granted
• Whether the source reviewed documents or participated directly in the events
• Any meaningful limitation affecting the account

Descriptions should support reader understanding without exposing the source. EgonCoin does not promise to reveal the identity of a confidential source to readers, companies or subjects of coverage.

The description should be as informative as possible without defeating the protection granted. Vague labels should not be used when a more meaningful but still safe description is available.

Corroboration and Supporting Evidence

Information from unnamed sources should be corroborated where reasonably possible.

Supporting material may include:

• Official documents
• Regulatory filings
• Public records
• Blockchain or transaction data
• Internal documents whose authenticity can be reviewed
• Public code repositories
• Company or regulator statements
• Additional independent sources
• Other verifiable technical or documentary evidence

Single-source anonymous claims are avoided for serious allegations, market-moving information or claims that may cause substantial financial, legal, safety or reputational harm.

Corroboration is strongest when it comes from evidence independent of the source. Repetition of the same claim by connected people does not necessarily constitute independent confirmation.

Confidential Documents and Data

Documents supplied by an unnamed source are not automatically treated as authentic.

Editors may consider where a document came from, whether dates and formatting are consistent, whether it can be compared with public information and whether another source can confirm its contents.

EgonCoin will not knowingly publish forged documents, fabricated screenshots or altered blockchain records.

Off-the-Record and Background Information

Off-the-record and background arrangements should be agreed before information is shared.

A source cannot generally declare information off the record after providing it unless the editor agrees to the change.

Information supplied off the record may guide further reporting, but it should not be published unless the attribution terms change by agreement, the information is obtained independently or another publishable basis is established.

Right of Response

When unnamed-source information supports a serious claim about a person, company, exchange, protocol or organization, EgonCoin may seek a response before publication when practical and appropriate.

The subject may be given the substance of the claim without being told the confidential source’s identity.

Financial and Other Sensitive Claims

Additional caution applies to unnamed-source claims concerning investment returns, exchange solvency, wallet security, fraud, theft, hacking, market manipulation, regulatory investigations, token reserves, company finances or potential loss of user funds.

Anonymous claims in these areas should not be presented as personalized financial, investment, legal, tax or security advice.

Source Motives and Conflicts

Editors should consider why a source is providing information and whether the source may benefit financially, professionally or personally from publication.

A possible motive does not automatically make information false, but it may increase the need for corroboration and careful attribution.

A source may provide accurate information while also having a personal or commercial motive. The existence of a motive is relevant context, but the decisive question remains whether the claim is supported.

Protecting Reader Trust

When EgonCoin relies on an unnamed source, readers should still receive enough information to understand why the source may be credible, why anonymity was necessary, whether corroboration exists and what uncertainties remain.

Anonymous sourcing should not be used to make an article appear more authoritative than the available evidence supports.

Reader trust depends on explaining why anonymity was necessary and how the publication evaluated the claim without exposing the source. Anonymity should not be used as a substitute for evidence.