How do journalists seek information from sources? A systematic review

In producing news stories, journalists depend on information obtained from sources. This paper reviews the literature on journalists' information seeking. The 90 studies included in the review cover how journalists identify sources, interact with sources, interpret information, and manage sources. In addition to quality and accessibility, balance in the group of sources selected is an important criterion in journalists' identification of sources. However, the importance journalists assign to balance stands in contrast to the frequent finding of bias in their source selections. In interactions with sources, the sources frequently provide ideas for new stories in addition to information for current ones. This finding shows how multiple instances of information seeking coexist and combine into a mesh of intersecting information-seeking processes. In interpreting information, journalists are acutely aware that sources may have an agenda or be misinformed. While journalists praise information checking, they regularly bypass it or replace direct checks for information quality with indirect checks, such as whether the source appears trustworthy. In managing sources, journalists engage in boundary work to regulate their relationship with sources. They also cultivate long-term relationships with selected sources. The review findings are discussed with respect to how journalism shapes journalists' information seeking and what im-plications the findings have for information-behavior research in other domains.

Automated summary

In news production, journalists rely on information from various sources, and this study explores how they identify, interact with, interpret, and manage these sources. Journalists value a balanced group of sources but often exhibit bias in their selections. Interactions with sources reveal that they not only provide information for current stories but also contribute ideas for new stories. Journalists are aware of potential bias and misinformation from sources and use indirect checks to evaluate trustworthiness. They manage their relationships with sources through boundary work and cultivate long-term partnerships. The findings shed light on how journalism influences journalists' information seeking and have implications for information behavior research in other fields.