The Statement of Principles of the Association of Health Care Journalists states that journalists should: "Recognize that most stories involve a degree of nuance and complexity that no single source could provide. Journalists have a responsibility to present diverse viewpoints in context. In addition, anyone with knowledge of the health care industry, of medicine, and of the scientific community knows that many vested interests reside among government health spokespersons, researchers, universities, drug companies, device manufacturers, providers, insurers and so on. To reflect only one perspective of only one source is not wise. Most one-source stories lack depth and meaning. Avoid single-source stories."

Consumers beware: if you read a single-source story, it's healthy to be skeptical about any claims made therein.