It’s essential that journalists covering news attribute any material that they have gathered from other sources. A journalist must never copy the work of others and pass it off as their own.
This workshop is presented in two formats, both using the same source material from Media Helping Media. The first is a two-hour workshop designed for those who are already familiar with the topic but who would like to deepen their understanding. The second is a four-hour, half-day workshop for those who are new to the topic.
Trainers are invited to select the format that best meets the needs of those they are training. The source material for this outline is the article Referencing, attribution and plagiarism, which provides essential guidance on how to correctly credit sources and avoid journalistic misconduct.
Workshop outline 1: Two-hour session
(Designed for participants who have some familiarity with the concepts of referencing and attribution.)
09:00–10:00 – Session 1: The ethics and mechanics of proper crediting
- Aims:
- To reinforce the fundamental reasons for ethics in source use, specifically how correct attribution contributes to journalistic accuracy and credibility.
- To distinguish clearly between the concepts of referencing and attribution.
- To explore and practise the key elements of effective attribution (clarity, immediacy, and specificity).
- Presentation:
- The trainer will give a concise presentation on the three core concepts: referencing (acknowledging a source), attribution (naming a source for specific information), and plagiarism (stealing another’s work).
- The presentation will highlight the importance of attribution for building audience trust and adhering to professional standards of integrity.
- A key focus will be a step-by-step guide on how to correctly attribute quotes, facts, and ideas in various formats (print, broadcast, online).
- Activity:
- Attribution test: Trainees are given a short text (provided by the trainer) that contains a mix of facts, direct quotes, and paraphrased information. The original sources for this text are also provided.
- Trainees must re-write the text, inserting appropriate and clear attributions for every piece of sourced information.
- The trainer leads a review of the re-written texts, focusing on common errors and best practices for clarity and immediacy.
- Discussion:
- Purpose: To discuss real-world scenarios where poor or missing attribution has damaged a journalist’s credibility or led to professional consequences.
- The trainer prompts the group to discuss: “When is simply ‘referencing’ a source not enough, and when does it become necessary to ‘attribute’ explicitly?”
10:00–11:00 – Session 2: Avoiding plagiarism and managing sources
- Aims:
- To define plagiarism (stealing and passing off another’s ideas or words as one’s own) and its different forms (e.g., word-for-word, paraphrasing without credit, mosaic plagiarism).
- To establish practical strategies for note-taking and source management that prevent accidental plagiarism.
- To differentiate between plagiarism (an ethical violation) and copyright infringement (a legal violation).
- Presentation:
- The trainer explains the various types of plagiarism, using simple examples to illustrate complex terms like mosaic plagiarism (mixing copied phrases with original words without attribution).
- The difference between plagiarism and copyright is explained: Plagiarism is an ethical breach of presenting someone else’s work as your own; copyright is a legal protection of published work.
- The presentation offers clear, actionable advice on developing a system for tracking sources and distinguishing between direct quotes, paraphrased material, and original thought in notes.
- Activity:
- Plagiarism spotting case study: Trainees are presented with two columns: Column A (Original Text) and Column B (Trainee’s Report). Column B contains examples of clear, incorrect, and borderline plagiarism.
- Trainees work in pairs to identify the type of plagiarism in each example in Column B and suggest how the reporter could re-write it to ensure fairness to the original author.
- The trainer provides a de-brief on key takeaways to ensure correct understanding.
- Discussion:
- Purpose: To explore the serious professional and ethical consequences of plagiarism and how a journalist’s integrity is the most valuable professional asset.
- The trainer initiates a discussion on ‘self-plagiarism’ – using one’s own previous work without proper citation – and whether or not it is a problem in their newsrooms.
- Assignment:
- Source verification and attribution log: For the next three days, trainees must keep a log of all sources they use for their regular reporting work. For each source, they must record: 1) The source name and contact. 2) The exact information or quote used. 3) The specific language used for attribution in their final report. 4) A self-assessment of whether the attribution meets the standards of clarity, immediacy, and accuracy.
Materials needed for the workshop:
- Handouts summarising interview types and essentials.
- Example interview transcripts.
- Research resources (internet or printouts).
- Recording devices (optional, for mock interviews).
Assessment:
- Participation in discussions and activities.
- Quality of drafted questions and peer feedback.
- Performance in mock interviews and reflection.
Summary
This two-hour workshop provided an intensive review of the principles and practices of ethical sourcing. Participants have worked to sharpen their skills in distinguishing between referencing and attribution, identifying different forms of plagiarism, and developing reliable source management techniques. These skills are vital for maintaining integrity and trust with both sources and the audience.
Workshop outline 2: Four-hour session
(Designed for participants who are new to the topic and require a more in-depth exploration and practice.)
09:00–10:00 – Session 1: Defining the fundamentals: Referencing, attribution, and ethics
- Aims:
- To clearly define the three core concepts: referencing, attribution, and plagiarism.
- To explain why proper crediting is essential for journalistic ethics, trust, and accuracy.
- To introduce the ethical concept of integrity as the foundation of source use.
- Presentation:
- The trainer introduces the three core terms: referencing (general acknowledgement), attribution (specific naming of the source), and plagiarism (theft of work). Explain these using simple, non-jargon language.
- The presentation focuses on the core message: Integrity requires us to give credit where it is due. This is not just polite; it builds the credibility of the journalist and the news organisation.
- The trainer shows examples of clear, professional attribution versus vague referencing.
- Activity:
- Source card match-up: Trainees are given cards with examples of sources (e.g., “a government report,” “an eye-witness quote,” “a fact from another news outlet”). They must match these to cards describing the required action (e.g., “must be explicitly attributed,” “requires only general referencing,” “must be re-verified”).
- Discussion:
- Purpose: To establish a common understanding of the ethical reasons for giving credit.
- The trainer asks: “In your newsroom, how important is it to your audience to know exactly where information comes from? What happens if you get it wrong?”
10:00–11:00 – Session 2: Understanding and avoiding plagiarism
- Aims:
- To explain in detail the different types of plagiarism, from simple direct copying to more complex forms like ‘paraphrasing without attribution’.
- To differentiate clearly between the ethical problem of plagiarism and the legal problem of copyright.
- To discuss the severe professional consequences of plagiarism, focusing on the loss of integrity.
- Presentation:
- The trainer clearly defines plagiarism as theft of intellectual property. Use real (but anonymised) examples of journalistic plagiarism to illustrate the concept.
- Key types of plagiarism are explained using a visual aid or simple bullet points: direct quotes without quotation marks and attribution, changing a few words (paraphrasing) but still claiming the idea as your own, and using your own work from a previous job/assignment without acknowledging the source (fairness to the publication that paid for it).
- The trainer explains that while plagiarism is about ethics, copyright is about the law, and that a single act can violate both.
- Activity:
- Original vs. Stolen: Trainees are given a series of short paragraphs and must determine if each example is: (A) Correctly attributed, (B) Plagiarism (and what kind), or (C) Copyright infringement.
- The group votes on each example, and the trainer corrects any misunderstandings, paying special attention to how to safely paraphrase complex information.
- Discussion:
- Purpose: To analyse the impact of plagiarism on a journalist’s career and reputation.
- The trainer guides a discussion on why some journalists feel tempted to plagiarise and what support systems can be put in place to prevent it.
11:00-11:15 – Break
11:15–12:45 – Session 3: Practical application: Citing and source management
- Aims:
- To practise correct note-taking techniques that prevent accidental plagiarism.
- To develop an efficient system for managing multiple sources and attributing correctly in a deadline environment.
- To apply the principles of fairness and impartiality when deciding which sources to use and how to credit them.
- Presentation:
- The trainer presents a five-step process for effective source management: 1) Verify the source’s accuracy. 2) Record the source details immediately. 3) Clearly mark quotes (Q), paraphrased ideas (P), and original thoughts (O) in notes. 4) Use immediate attribution in the first sentence when writing the story. 5) Check for bias in the sourcing selection.
- Emphasis is placed on the need for transparent, open, and honest dealings with all sources to enforce fairness.
- Activity:
- Role Play and Note-taking: The trainer assigns trainees to groups of three: Journalist, Expert Source, and Observer. The Journalist conducts a mock interview (5 minutes) with the Expert Source.
- The Journalist’s task is to take notes, clearly marking direct quotes and paraphrased information. The Observer monitors the note-taking technique.
- The Journalist then has 10 minutes to write a 100-word summary of the interview, ensuring correct and immediate attribution. The Observer provides feedback.
- The trainer leads a critique of the resulting short articles, focusing on the quality of attribution and note-taking.
- Discussion:
- Purpose: To share best practices for handling difficult sources and managing a high volume of information ethically.
- The trainer asks the group for their most effective personal techniques for managing notes and sources when under tight deadlines.
12:45–13:00 – Session 4: Review and next steps
- Aims:
- To summarise the key learning points from the day.
- To answer any remaining questions from the participants.
- To set a clear, practical assignment for future application.
- Presentation:
- The trainer quickly reviews the concepts of referencing, attribution, plagiarism, and the importance of integrity and accuracy.
- The presentation highlights the single most important takeaway: Always give credit for anything that is not your original idea or research.
- Discussion:
- Purpose: To consolidate learning and identify areas where participants feel most confident and least confident.
- The trainer uses a rapid-fire Q&A session to check understanding of complex terms and different types of plagiarism.
- Assignment:
- Attribution audit and policy draft: Trainees must find two published articles—one from their own publication and one from a competing news outlet. They must audit (check and analyse) both articles for proper attribution, noting any instances where sources are not clearly credited or where they suspect bias in the source selection. Based on their findings, they should draft a short, three-point ‘Attribution Policy’ for their newsroom.
Materials needed for the workshop:
- Handouts summarising interview types and essentials.
- Example interview transcripts.
- Research resources (internet or printouts).
- Recording devices (optional, for mock interviews).
Assessment:
- Participation in discussions and activities.
- Quality of drafted questions and peer feedback.
- Performance in mock interviews and reflection.
Summary
This four-hour workshop provided a comprehensive grounding in the essential journalistic practice of ethical sourcing. Participants have worked through the definitions of referencing, attribution, and the various forms of plagiarism. They have had extensive practice in note-taking and source management, which are crucial skills for maintaining professional integrity and ensuring accuracy in their reporting.
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