The correct answer is C (NOT A)<span />
An independent clause is found in a compound sentence and occurs when each clause can operate as a complete sentence in it's own right.
A subordinate clause adds information but does not serve as a sentence in it's own right for example, it relies on the main clause within the sentence to make sense.
The sentence you construct would be a compound sentence and would read:
The journalist met a source at the hotel SO THAT he would get the facts for an article.
