Gaza hospital explosion poses questions about how to report to readers who don’t read

“According to an eyewitness account.” “Israeli officials said in a statement.” “Reportedly.” “Said a student on the condition of anonymity.” “Per Palestinian officials.” “Some experts say.”

For journalists, attributions like these are a crucial tool intended to provide clarity and context. They demonstrate where an idea came from, and whether it might contain bias. Often, they indicate — but do not say directly — that the information has not been independently verified.

But most people do not consume journalism like journalists; their eyes may glaze past attributions to focus on the more substantive information before or after them.