While reading two articles on the cia's functions, you discover that both articles have similar opinions and facts, but the first articles author is a reporter and the second articles author is a former cia employee. which article would be more relevant to your reaseach?

The answer would be the first article. If I will have a research about CIA's functions but both have similar opinions and facts, I would find the first article more relevant because it is more objective. Reporters are expected to practice journalistic objectivity. Also, they will state facts and opinions based on what they know -both good & bad, and they are not connected with the organization.