For the most consequential White House stories, Mr. Baquet himself has to approve the use of anonymous sources. “And when we do more routine anonymous source stories, whether it’s from the White House or not,” he explained, “senior editors have to know the names of sources, and the circumstances.”

The protocol is strict “because we can’t afford to get it wrong,” he added. “And I think we should probably be transparent with people about that.”

(Interested in learning more about our guidelines regarding anonymous sources? Read on.)

5. Leak investigations are a real threat.

For journalists who cover the president, his heated rhetoric against the press — while sometimes alarming — is generally tolerable. “I don’t care about the name calling,” Mr. Baker said. “We’re big boys and girls; we can take it.”

“What would be disturbing,” he added, “is if that then trails into actual changes in our ability to do our job.”

One such potential change? The threat of leak investigations, which Attorney General Jeff Sessions has reported are increasing dramatically.

It would be “beyond the pale,” Mr. Baquet said, if the Trump administration had subpoenaed phone records, or had gotten secret warrants for phone records, of New York Times reporters — or if they were wiretapping phones.

But it’s not out of the question, Mr. Baquet conceded.

“The previous administration did things that made us very uncomfortable, despite their saying more positive things about the press,” he said. “So this administration makes me nervous in that regard.”