USA Times relies on named, on-the-record sources whenever possible. A named source carries more weight with readers than an anonymous one. Anonymity asks the reader to trust the publication instead of the source — a trust we use rarely and carefully.

When we grant anonymity

All three conditions must be met:

1. The source faces credible risk of physical harm, job loss, legal exposure, or other significant retaliation.
2. The information is essential to a story of clear public interest.
3. The information has been independently corroborated by at least one additional source or document.

The Executive Editor decides whether the conditions are met and is told who the source is, even when the reporter has promised confidentiality.

What is not enough

Anonymity is not granted because the source is uncomfortable being quoted, the source’s employer has not pre-approved the comments, or the source has been granted anonymity by another publication. None of those meet our standard.

What anonymous sources cannot do

Anonymous sources may not make personal attacks on identifiable people. If a source has a critical claim about a named person, the source attaches their name to it, or the claim does not run.

What we tell readers

When we cite an anonymous source, we explain why anonymity was granted and characterize the source’s vantage point as specifically as possible without identifying them. We do not use anonymity as a smokescreen for thin reporting.

The promise of confidentiality

A promise of anonymity is a serious commitment. We will defend it in any legal proceeding to the extent the law allows. If we are ever unable to keep a promise — for example, after a final court order — we notify the source in advance.

Documents

When a story relies on a document, we describe what it is, how we obtained it, and how we verified it. We protect the identity of the person who provided the document under the same rules that apply to anonymous sources.