Anonymous sourcing is sometimes necessary — whistleblowers need cover. But “sources say,” bare, hides the three things that make a source worth trusting: how many, how they’d know, and why they’re talking.

Careful outlets characterize them — “two officials with direct knowledge,” “a person who reviewed the documents.” “Sources say” on its own does none of that, and the plural does quiet work: it can be one source and the PR rep echoing them.