Chances are when looking at an article recently, you’ve read information that was attributed to “a source familiar with the matter.” No names, no details about how these sources became familiar with the matter.

So why should you trust that reporting? We asked a current White House reporter, a deputy editor and a media ethics expert to break it down for us.

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to our podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1a.