Deep Throat. Since Woodward and Bernstein’s history-changing story, anonymous sources have woven themselves into every type and every level of journalism. But when big stories are broken that rely on nameless sources, issues of credibility arise automatically. Anonymous sources have helped journalists catch some of the biggest stories in news (especially in government), but they have also been responsible for some of the greatest fumbles. Too often, anonymity is a shield behind which “sources” hide to take “cheap shots” at their political rivals or to manipulate journalists. By Kendyl Salcito