Freedom. Responsibility. Truth.

Anonymous Sources Policy

Primary Principle: Named Sources

Criteria for Exceptions

Identity Verification Process

Methodology for Citing Anonymous Sources

Limitations and Prohibitions

Legal Protection of Sources

Reference Framework and Guidelines

Final Provision

Anonymous Sources Policy

1. Introduction

The Anonymous Sources Policy of the Plenum.ba platform defines the conditions, procedures, and professional standards for the use of anonymous sources of information in journalistic content.The use of anonymous sources represents an exception, not a rule, and is applied exclusively in situations where it is necessary for the protection of the source and the pursuit of public interest.The purpose of this policy is to preserve:

the integrity of investigative journalism,
the credibility of published information,
public trust in media content.

2. Primary Principle: Named Sources

Plenum.ba primarily strives to use named sources as the basic professional standard.Named sources:

ensure maximum transparency,
increase the credibility of the content,
enable the public to assess the relevance and credibility of the information.

Anonymous sources are used exclusively as a last resort, when named sources are not possible.

3. Criteria for Exceptions

The use of anonymous sources is permitted only in the following circumstances:

3.1 Risk to Source Security

When there is a real and justified danger that revealing the source's identity could:

threaten their personal safety or life,
lead to professional or legal consequences,
expose the source to pressure, threats, or retaliation.

3.2 Vital Public Interest

When dealing with information that:

have high social significance,
reveal illegal, corrupt, or harmful practices,
cannot be obtained through named sources or public documents.

Anonymity is not granted for:

personal views or opinions,
political spin,
unverified claims without evidence.

4. Identity Verification Process

Regardless of the decision not to disclose the source's identity to the public, the Plenum.ba platform must:

be fully acquainted with the identity of the source,
verify the credibility and relevance of the source,
assess the source’s motives and potential conflicts of interest.

Publishing information without the platform knowing the identity of the source is strictly prohibited.

5. Methodology for Citing Anonymous Sources

Anonymous sources must be labeled in a way that provides readers with meaningful context regarding their relevance, without revealing their identity.Examples of acceptable citations:

“High-ranking official of the Ministry of Finance”
“Investigator involved in the case”
“Member of the board of directors of a state-owned company”

The use of generic formulations is unacceptable, such as:

“source close to the situation”,
“well-informed source”,
“source from government circles”.

Anonymity must not serve to conceal the unreliability of information.

6. Limitations and Prohibitions

Plenum.ba will not use anonymous sources:

for conveying accusations without evidence,
for personal scores or discredit,
for comments and value judgments,
when the information can be obtained through public or named sources.

An anonymous source can never be the sole basis for serious accusations without additional independent confirmations.

7. Legal Protection of Sources

Plenum.ba respects the legal protection of journalistic sources in accordance with:

Criminal Procedure Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), Article 4.

The identity of the source will not be disclosed to third parties except:

with the explicit consent of the source,
on the basis of a final court decision in accordance with the law.

Source protection is considered a fundamental professional and ethical principle.

8. Reference Framework and Guidelines

This Anonymous Sources Policy is based on:

1. Criminal Procedure Code of BiH - provisions on the protection of journalistic sources.
2. European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) - Article 4 (protection of journalistic sources).
3. Guidelines of the Press and Online Media Council in BiH on the use of anonymous sources.
4. International standards for investigative journalism (IFJ, RSF, JTI).

9. Final Provision

The use of anonymous sources on Plenum.ba represents a professional exception that requires increased editorial oversight.Any violation of this policy may result in:

deletion of the published text,
correction of already published content,
suspension or permanent loss of author status.

Plenum.ba uses anonymous sources exclusively in the service of public interest, and not as a tool for sensationalism or irresponsible journalism.

Freedom. Responsibility. Truth.

Anonymous Sources Policy

Primary Principle: Named Sources

Criteria for Exceptions

Identity Verification Process

Methodology for Citing Anonymous Sources

Limitations and Prohibitions

Legal Protection of Sources

Reference Framework and Guidelines

Final Provision

Anonymous Sources Policy

1. Introduction

2. Primary Principle: Named Sources

3. Criteria for Exceptions

3.1 Risk to Source Security

3.2 Vital Public Interest

4. Identity Verification Process

5. Methodology for Citing Anonymous Sources

6. Limitations and Prohibitions

7. Legal Protection of Sources

8. Reference Framework and Guidelines

This Anonymous Sources Policy is based on:

9. Final Provision

Information

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