Which of the following is a potential consequence of breaching source confidentiality?

• A. Improved public trust
• B. Loss of access to valuable information
• C. Increased readership
• D. Enhanced relationships with other journalists

Answer: (B)

Breaching source confidentiality can lead to a significant loss of access to valuable information. Journalists often rely on confidential sources to provide sensitive or exclusive information that may not be available through official channels. When confidentiality is compromised, sources may become unwilling to share information in the future, fearing repercussions or loss of privacy. This loss can diminish a journalist's ability to report on critical issues, ultimately weakening the quality of journalism and the public’s access to important news.

Improved public trust, increased readership, and enhanced relationships with other journalists are unlikely outcomes from breaching confidence. In fact, violating a source's trust often leads to skepticism regarding the journalist's ethics and can damage their reputation, thereby detracting from the trust and relationships built within the journalism community.