The rapid development and penetration of new communication and digital technologies is also affecting the transformations of journalistic procedures and practices within news production and the distribution and gathering of information. Journalistic communication and the protection of journalistic sources as one of the key mechanisms for establishing the news net and network of sources and for performing the function of reporting and fulfilling the role of 'watchdogs' is under threat.
Analysis of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with editors of key Slovenian media shows a lack of systematic protection of journalistic communication and a lack of editorial policy regarding communication with journalistic sources. Certain individual considerations and measures are taken, although systematic editorial policy is still missing along with education regarding safe communication.