Someone is accusing me of not paying my sources for my publication, but as a journalist it’s unethical to pay them. What should I do?

This woman at my front desk in my building is telling people I don’t pay for interviews and told me I should be paying people for their time. But as a journalist that’s so unethical and no media outlets pay their sources (unless there’s a good reason to)…I just interview about their businesses and basically give them free exposure to be in it.
I find this ridiculous and not sure how to address this when it comes up.

Someone is accusing me of not paying my sources for my publication, but as a journalist it’s unethical to pay them. What should I do?
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