"There was an honorable tradition of using anonymous sources that was ruined by Jayson Blair"

This quote by Ted Rall is describing the scandal involving previous New York Times press reporter Jayson Blair. In 2003, it was exposed that Blair had made or plagiarized parts of his stories, causing his resignation from the newspaper. This scandal had a long lasting influence on making use of anonymous sources in journalism, as it highlighted the potential for abuse when utilizing confidential sources. The quote suggests that prior to the scandal, there was a respectable custom of using anonymous sources, which was messed up by Blair's actions. This quote works as a suggestion of the importance of journalistic integrity and the requirement for press reporters to be held responsible for their work. It also works as a warning to reporters to be careful when using confidential sources, as it can have major repercussions if not done responsibly.