The notion of font comes from the Latin word fontis . Although the term has several meanings, in this case we are interested in its meaning as the origin or sustenance of something . Information , on the other hand, is news or content that allows the recipient to acquire certain knowledge.
The idea of source of information , in this framework, refers to the individual or material that provides data of interest . In the context of journalism and the investigative field, a source is specifically the one or thing that provides information .
The work of a journalist requires contact with sources of information that allow them to obtain the data necessary for the development of an article , a report , etc. At a general level, a journalist is expected to consult at least three different sources of information before publishing a story : if three reliable sources corroborate the veracity of a piece of information, it is unlikely that said information is erroneous or false. On the other hand, if a single source provides the information, there is a greater risk of error.
A primary source of information provides first-hand material (is a protagonist or witness of the events). A secondary source , on the other hand, takes and reproduces the information provided by a primary source. Information sources, on the other hand, can be oral, written or other types, depending on how the data is transmitted.
The protection of the identity of a source of information is very important for the journalist: the press worker in many cases undertakes not to reveal the name of the person who provides him with the information to prevent this person from suffering some type of persecution or reprisal. In turn, when the source of information remains anonymous, it becomes impossible to verify the veracity of what it expresses.
The latter happens very often on the Internet when a rumor spreads, both one that has the intention of revealing confidential information harmful to its protagonists and one that simply discloses certain data that would have been published sooner or later. When the source of information is anonymous, a portion of those who receive the message instantly lose interest, because they only believe in what they "can see and touch." A second portion of the public is doubtful but considers the possibility that the rumor is legitimate, while the rest of the people do not attach importance to anonymity.
In some Internet forums , moderators are personally in charge of verifying the identity of those users who wish to publish rumors without revealing their first and last name. According to the rules, they are required to certify their personal data, including the name of the company they work for (which is usually the place from which the confidential data arises) and the position they hold there. Only when the moderators complete this procedure do they allow them to write the news and connect with the rest of the users.
In certain areas, these types of information sources are especially common and generate a considerable degree of commotion. For example, in the world of video games, several conventions are held throughout the year, in different parts of the world, but none are as important as E3 , the electronic entertainment exhibition , which takes place in Los Angeles in the month of June. and concentrates the largest number of revealing news from the most relevant companies worldwide. When these dates approach, player forums become veritable nests of rumors .
Searching for a source of information is learned in primary school, from the first time teachers tell us to investigate a given topic to prepare a document as a summary, for example.