Question motives:
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What is the source’s agenda; what does the source have to gain by talking to you?
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Did the source come to you?
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Is the source hiding something, shifting blame, promoting a certain viewpoint?
Question relationships:
- What is the relationship between the reporter and the source?
- Do you fear losing the source?
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Did you choose this source because you are in a rush to deadline and this source is usually good for a colorful quote?
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Is there an alternative to this source?
Question reliability:
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What is the source's past reliability?
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What is the source's standing with his or her coworkers?
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How representative is this view?
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Is it one person with a complaint, or does this fit with other things that you have heard? How widely known is this particular information?
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What proof does the source offer?
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How can you verify the information?
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What more do I need to know to be able to evaluate the information? (Consult a reliable person with expertise in the subject.)
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How dedicated is the source to getting the story told?
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If the public knew where the information originated, would they have reason to doubt?
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Is this person the best authority?
Question assumptions:
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Are there underlying assumptions that my source depends on and that I should question?
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Are there underlying assumptions of mine that need to be questioned?
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As yourself: what are my own biases about this source, and my organization's bias?
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What important viewpoints are not represented by this source?
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As the source lays out the information, keep asking: How do you know this?