There is a solution. Simply force "reporters" to identify sources. Then the info can be determined to be legitimate or not, and leakers can get their plumbing fixed. It would also do wonders for the DC attitude - the part about knowledge being power; fixing leaks would cut down the number of "power brokers" the ones who don't legitimately "own" and have the right to disseminate information. Further if the information is found to be wrong, it's easy to assess blame.
Unfortunately, in today's culture, it's rare to take responsibility, own a screw up, be held accountable, and sincere in all of the above. It's human nature, just like a kid with his hand in the cookie jar caught red handed and refuses to say or acknowledge his guilt while pulling the cookie out of the jar.
We are realy good about short term memory, forgetting the recent past, but, one thing we are good about as a society is giving second chances, and especially if you own your screw up.
Clinton, should have just said yep, she did it, I did it, sorry.
Pete Rose should have said, yep, I did it, sorry.
Every baseball player during the roid years, should have just said sorry.
But, what is unreal, is even with the inability to own the situation, somehow, given time, these people are able to move on and be included and back to normal and somewhat forgiven. Take Alex Rodriguez, roider, cheater, has a job as an on air personality on a major sports network covering baseball.........so maybe, I guess, it doesn't matter if you have virtue and sincerity after all........we'll forgive, or at least forget.