Decades after the Watergate scandal, Mark Felt publicly revealed that he was the mysterious "Deep Throat” who guided two Washington Post reporters in their investigation. We offer a case study that examines the reliance on a source who insists on not being identified.
This case helps students see how important it is for journalists to check and double check information passed on to them by sources, especially anonymous ones.
Students, in groups, should discuss this case and explain the response they’ve chosen. There are questions to help guide the discussion, as well as “The Real Story" for teachers to share with students afterward.
