Eighth International Conference on Communication & Media Studies

Abstract

This study investigates the use of anonymous sources in Moroccan sports online newspapers and the perceptions of media and communication students toward this practice. A sample of 226 stories posted on “Hesport.com” during the period from 1 April to 30 June 2023 were analyzed in this regard. In addition, 62 media and communication students from the High Institute of Information and Communication and Three Moroccan University filled out a questionnaire designed to serve the purpose of the study. The findings suggest that the use of anonymous sources in sport journalism was relative (14,1 %), but it lack reasonable justifications. The study also showed some abuses of media ethics because of this practice. In addition, the study showed that Moroccan media and communication students held a mixture of positive and negative attitudes towards anonymous sourcing, but the majority of them said they are aware of the need to view it critically.