What Is The Difference Between Off The Record And On Background?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Off the record:

The information cannot be used for publication

. … Background: The information can be published but only under conditions negotiated with the source. Generally, the sources do not want their names published but will agree to a description of their position.

Is on background the same as off the record?

He is an award-winning journalist and experienced public relations professional. Going off the record — or on background — represents

an agreement between you as a source and a reporter that what you say will not be quoted in a news story

. If the reporter doesn’t agree, you’re still on the record.

What does it mean to be on background?

“On background” usually means that

a reporter can use the information you give them, but cannot name or quote you directly

. That’s different than “off-the-record,” which theoretically means that the information you share with a reporter cannot be used in any way.

What does it mean when you say off the record?

adjective. not for publication; not to be quoted: a candidate’s off-the-

record remarks to reporters

. confidential: off-the-record information.

What is on record and off record?

Though “on the record” is clear and direct, “off the record” is more ambiguous. While it means

what you say cannot be published or attributed to you

, don’t throw caution to the wind just because you’ve used it.

Is saying off the record legally binding?

Keep in mind,

an off-the-record agreement is not legally binding

. Rather, in the news world it’s a culturally accepted method of sourcing information. Reporters generally honor off-the-record agreements because they want to continue being trusted by sources to share worthwhile news and background.

How do you use off the record information?

  1. Problem.
  2. When you speak off the record, you give a reporter information that is for his or her knowledge only and cannot be used, printed or made public in any way. …
  3. Do not give reporters information and then belatedly tell them that it is off the record.

What does deep background mean?

Lee: “Deep background” is a term

commonly used by officials at the highest levels of government who want to disclose information to the press without attribution

. Such material can be published, provided there is no identification of the source or how the material was obtained.

What is on background in reporting?

According to the Associated Press, an on background arrangement with a reporter means that

“information can be published but only under conditions negotiated with the source

. Generally, the sources do not want their names published but will agree to a description of their position.”

Can you retroactively go off the record?

“You can also

go back to your off-the-record source later in your reporting

process and attempt to negotiate things back on the record.”

Can I record a conversation in my house?

California is an all-party consent state.

It is illegal to record a confidential conversation

, including private conversations or telephone calls, without consent in California. A violation of this rule is the crime of eavesdropping, per Penal Code 632 PC.

What does it mean for the record?

If you say that what you are going to say next is for the record, you mean that you are saying it publicly and officially and

you want it to be written down and remembered

. We’re willing to state for the record that it has enormous value. Synonyms: officially More Synonyms of for the record.

What does it mean when something is on your record?

If you are on record as saying something,

you have said it publicly and officially and it has been written down

.

Does off the record really work?

Fighting traffic tickets: Seattle startup’s ‘Off the Record’ app boasts 97% success rate. Alex Guirguis has gotten several speeding tickets in his lifetime and he has contested all of them. … “The whole process of fighting that Oregon traffic ticket was a real pain,” Guirguis said.

When a reporter asks a source to speak on the record that means?

“On-the-record” attribution means

that everything the source says may be published and quoted directly, and the source may be fully identified by name and title

. Reporters should try to keep as much as possible of every interview on the record.

Juan Martinez
Author
Juan Martinez
Juan Martinez is a journalism professor and experienced writer. With a passion for communication and education, Juan has taught students from all over the world. He is an expert in language and writing, and has written for various blogs and magazines.