Sources are a part of society

Sourcing remains a trouble with the editors and reporters. One of the reporters once said 'Sources said ...' And he explained the 'sources' saying 'they are a part of society' to an editor when his attention was called to the sourcing. Indeed, sources are a part of society, but each part of society should not be made a source. Everything that goes in a story should be properly sourced; it leaves margin for others, otherwise, to consider the content to be editorial. It is particularly necessary if things run to court where it will help the editor, publisher or the writer to establish which portion of the story is editorial and which portion is reported. There are debates on whether to source a report only once or at several instances as required. But the entrant reporters believe it goes to their credit that they somehow come to know of the happening, as they write in the report. And they remain unwilling to divulge the source, even if the officials they talk with never request the protection of anonymity. A simple rule: never over- or under-identify sources if they do not seek anonymity; but try to identify them as specific as they can be without being spotted, if they seek not to be named. But only the words and phrases such as 'source,' 'informed source' or 'confirmed source' should not be used. And one more thing: sources should be authoritative, or relevant.