Off and On The Record

Here is the essence of the disconnect. The White House equates anonymous sources (except their own, of course) with cowardice. The media equate them with truth-telling, or at least a closer approximation of the truth than they are able to get from on-the-record aides spouting the official line.

Earnest is correct that a source wiling to be named deserves more credence, but this is, sadly, not the way Washington works. Candor is a rare enough commodity that to demand it be paired with bravery is asking too much. Reporters should push sources to go on the record, but, in the end, they face a trade-off. Relying solely on named sources would present a less complete, less accurate picture of reality to readers, even if readers are deprived of knowing the names of those quoted.

The interests of the White House -- this or any other -- in keeping sources unnamed stems from entirely different incentives: promoting the president and minimizing unforced errors.

Thus, the call about which reporters chided Earnest was done on background so as not to pre-empt the official announcement. Every White House wants the focus on the principal, not the aide. This is both understandable and silly. It's certainly not worth ceding the moral high ground and appearing hypocritical.

The more justifiable use of anonymity is providing greater breathing space for honest discussion. The less administration officials have to worry about every linguistic slip ending up in the next day's paper, or the next minute's tweet, the better they can explain their thinking. I participate in a lot of deep background briefings -- no direct quotes, but information attributable to senior administration officials -- and they're more valuable than the on-the-record versions.

Speaking of which, Earnest's snarky references to the Post's "empty seat." Going to the White House briefing is more like attending the theater, albeit an interactive, improv performance, than like reporting. A reporter's time is better spent talking to sources than sitting in an assigned seat. Even if the sources must remain anonymous.

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Ruth Marcus' email address is ruthmarcus@washpost.com.