How to handle anonymity by the pros

I've had a story where someone didn't want to be quoted because they weren't sure if they had permission from their company to talk to me. They didn't know what to do. They were nervous and I ended up not using their information because I didn't know how to handle it.

I think I saw the perfect way to handle the anonymity.

On the breaking news MIT shooting, an FBI agent wanted to remain anonymous:
 “We are aware of the situation, we are being involved, and we are monitoring,” said an FBI representative who requested anonymity because of not being authorized to speak publicly. The FBI source said early Friday it is “too early to speculate” on a relation to the Marathon bombing.

I think that's a really professional way to handle it. Does it sound perfect to me? No, not really. I think it's slightly awkward. But that's a cool thing about news writing. It can be written weirdly and still be kickass. In fact, let it be a little weird, a little broken from the status quo once in a while. 

Makes life interesting right?

And on another note - all this Boston breaking news. 711 robbed next to MIT CAMPUS. MIT officer down. Marathon runners with scattered body parts. Blue flashing lights everywhere.

It's Pandemonium. 

I'm watching the news at 513 AM. I've got my twitter open. One suspect is dead. No one is releasing names. It doesn't feel safe in the world today, with tragedy so close to home. 

I was in Boston on Easter weekend. I walked up and down Boylston St. I walked over the Smoot bridge to MIT. I took pictures in front of MIT and even got to walk inside.

I had no idea that only weeks later, hell would explode onto the streets and disrupt daily life.