NAHJ Statement on Journalists Getting Involved with Sources

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists finds it unacceptable for journalists to get involved with sources. This issue comes to light after a relationship between Los Angeles Telemundo anchor Mirthala Salinas and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was made public.

While details of the relationship, and what Salinas' managers knew about it, are unclear, NAHJ maintains that a journalist cannot remain unbiased if he or she becomes romantically involved with a source. Once the relationship becomes personal, professionalism is compromised. A personal relationship between a source and reporter ruins the credibility of not just the people involved and their employers, but of all journalists in general.