The death of Deep Throat
Journalists around the world are today saddened to hear of the death of Mark Felt - AKA Deep Throat - one of the greatest public servants and sources of all time.
He famously coined the phrase "follow the money" while helping Washington Post journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein investigate the Watergate scandal, which lead to the downfall of US President Richard Nixon.
Deep Throat's identity was fiercely protected by Woodward and Bernstein until 2005, when Mr Felt himself revealed his role in helping uncover the Watergate affair.
The example that Woodward and Bernstein set in concealing their source is the cornerstone of good journalism (one which the Daily Post proudly follows).
No doubt the story has also inspired countless others to take the risk of contacting journalists to blow the whistle on corruption or wrongdoing, or simply helping to better inform the democratic process.
People like Mark Felt need to be quietly celebrated for having the courage to risk their livelihood in the pursuit of righting a wrong.
Sources are a vital part of journalism and long may that continue. The day people feel unable to contact the press, or stop believing in the power of the press, will be a truly sad day.
Click here for the Washington Post's special report on Watergate.
An obituary from the BBC can be found here.
Dale Street Associates
David Bartlett
City editor of the Post and Echo covering politics, regeneration, and urban affairs.
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