On Sources, Confidentiality, & Process

I’ve been doing research on Guatemalan adoptions since 2008, which grants me the privilege of having relationships with my sources that are based on trust built from repeated interviews, informal conversations, and interactions. Initially, I began general reporting on Guatemalan adoptions for my Master’s thesis at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism in fall 2008, where I was a Fellow at the Stabile Center for Investigative Reporting. After my thesis was awarded Honors, I graduated in 2009 and decided to continue my research in order to write “Finding Fernanda,” which will be published this October. Over the past three years, I’ve spoken, emailed, and/or met in person with over 350 sources, and my reporting continues to this day. Certain sources, especially in Guatemala, have stuck their necks out by choosing to communicate with me– whether risking personal safety or their careers. I’ve met people at night, in discreet locations, and in secret for off-record lunches. As a journalist, I take the responsibility of protecting my sources very seriously– my first priority is to respect the trust and faith they’ve shown by their willingness to help me understand various issues and subjects. While working in Guatemala, I’ve always reported side-by-side with...