SiteYou Ask, We Answer: Should the editor let sources use pseudonyms?
Carol asks: I recently submitted a health-related article to a local magazine, and my main source asked to be referred to by her first name and last initial. My editor replied that anonymity is reserved for sensitive subject matters, maiden names aren’t allowed (I thought that could be a compromise), and requested that I convince my source to allow use of her last name or find a new source. Thankfully, my source complied and I saved myself the time and effort of having to find and interview someone else.
Was my editor justified in not okaying an initial, maiden name or psydonuem? Also, in the future, should I ask my interviewees up front if they’ll allow both their first and last names to appear in print? This situation caught me off guard a bit.
I’m glad your source ended up cooperating!
As the saying goes, “Thems that has the money makes the rules.” Every magazine has its own rules regarding whether sources may be anonymous or go by maiden or first names. When interviewing “real people” sources, you should ask whether you can use their first and last names. If they say no, ask the editor whether your sources can be anonymous. The editor may be willing to let you do that — especially if the source is very important to your story — but if not you’ll just have to try to convince the source to be quoted with her name — or suck it up and find a more cooperative source. (It’s probably not necessary to ask expert sources whether you can use their full names, though it can’t hurt to ask everyone as a matter of course.)
Renegade readers, have you ever had trouble getting a source to let you use his full name? Post your experiences in the comments! [lf]
2 Responses to “You Ask, We Answer: Should the editor let sources use pseudonyms?”
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lori
Said this on February 7th, 2008 at 7:30am:When I edited Student Health 101, our policy was to allow pseudonyms or fist-name-only for sensitive subjects, like sex, sexual assault, or even things like underage drinking and drug use. I think that’s still the policy there. You can’t blame people for not wanting their real names on these stories. But for any other topics, sources needed to be willing to have their first and last names published. Otherwise, to the reader, it looks like you could be making everything up.
piper
Said this on February 7th, 2008 at 2:07pm:This hasn’t happened to me, but I can easily imagine circumstances where it might - thanks for bringing it up, Carol. It will be one more thing to clarify (if appropriate) during the contract phase. What a pain it would be to have to start over with a new source, mid-project!