Protection of journalistic sources as stated by Ingham 2008 is one of the golden rules of journalism Its importance to journalists cannot be understated One vital element of press freedom is that journalists can promise and maintain the confidentiality of their sources As stated in the NUJ National Union of Journalists 2017 protection of sources is a sacred tenant of journalistic ethics that reporters recognize the need to protect confidential sources and promise confidentiality only with the intention of keeping that promise Journalists would find it strenuous to gain access to places and situations where they can report on matters of public interest if they cannot when necessary give a strong genuine promise of confidentiality to their sources This essay will seek to argue that in the scenario presented that it is necessary for the journalist to protect their sources identity It will be argued that it is a reporter s core obligation in any given circumstance to protect their source in order to protect press freedom It will also be argued that it is integral to protect the sources identify for them and their sources safety