2-Off the record --- If the hushed conversation is of public interest (e.g. corruption or sexual harassment by aid workers), a keen journalist would work to find evidence and someone who agrees to be quoted on the same confidential information or the variation of it, or even confirmation from official sources.

This is the fine work of investigative journalism (if you remember the Deep Throat in the Watergate scandal) which is unfortunately becoming obsolete due to the decline of traditional news media.

Source author: Ivy Susanti ivysusanti@gmail.com