When a journalist breaks his or her promise and identifies a confidential source, it has a chilling effect on all of these, except ...

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If confidential sources know that journalists are likely to reveal their identities, they will be less willing to provide information to the press. This will make it harder for journalists to report on sensitive or contentious issues, which will in turn limit the public's access to important information. However, the ability of prosecutors and special investigators to win cases involving journalists' confidential sources is not directly impacted by whether or not a journalist breaks a promise of confidentiality. If a journalist refuses to reveal a source's identity, prosecutors will need to find other ways to obtain the information they need to build their case.

When a Journalist Breaks His or Her Promise and Identifies