Many Americans say the use of anonymous sources influences their trust in a news story, particularly those who oppose their use % of U.S. adults who say the use of anonymous sources has (of) influence on whether they think news stories are credible
Those who say it is never acceptable to use an anonymous source are roughly three times as likely to say it has a great deal of influence on whether they think a story is credible (49% vs. 15% of those who say it is acceptable in special cases and 14% of those who say always acceptable). Still, majorities of all three groups say that an anonymous source has at least some influence on their trust in a story.
Many Americans say the use of anonymous sources  | influences their trust in a news story, particularly  | those who oppose their use  | % of U.S. adults who say the use of anonymous sources has (of) influence  | on whether they think news stories are credible  | great  | Not  | Not  | Some  | deal  | too much at all  | All U.S adults  | 21%  | 47%  | 24%  | 8%  | Among those who say the use of  | anonymous sources in stories is  | Always acceptable  | 14  | 46  | 28  | 11  | Only acceptable in  | 15  | 25  | 56  | special cases  | Never acceptable  | 49  | 15  | 17  | 19  | Note: Respondents who did not give an answer are not shown.  | Source: Survey of U.S adults conducted Feb, 18-March 2. 2020,  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 