What they do is put out a statement they know is false, they say “If true, ...” The point is their statement is out there as if it is true.
They can say: “A reliable source told us Trump beats his wife. If true, this could spell the end of his presidency.” They probably don’t have a reliable source or a source for that matter. It don’t make no difference. The presstitudes can hide behind the Constitution and not be forced to reveal a non-existent source.
I bet when they need a second source for a report, they go around the office a easily find another reporter who says, “I heard that, too.”
The way they get a “source” is disgusting now a days.