The Public Hates Anonymous Sourcing

A new [Rassmussen poll] indicates that just 28% of Americans think it is appropriate for newspapers and other media outlets to publish stories based on anonymous sources. Ouch.

If there is any good news for journalists in the poll, it's that the younger generation, while still hostile to the practice, does find anonymous sourcing more acceptable than adults over 40. The poll also finds that no one really cares about the trial of Scooter Libby, the vice-president's former chief of staff.