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Off the record

  • 01-08-2008 11:22am
    #1
    santosubito
    Closed Accounts Posts: 495 ✭✭


    I recently had a strange converstion with the chief press officer of an international organisation concerning the phrase `off the record'.
    My interpretation has always been off the record means I can use what has been given to me, on the strict proviso I don't identify any source.
    Hers was that off the record meant it could not be used.
    She then further confused things by saying `It means you can't use what I tell you, but if you get someone else to confirm the same information, then go ahead.'
    That made me laugh, frankly. I wonder how many reporters would simply listen to what she said, then 20 minutes later ring her and say someone else had confirmed her information - without making any other calls.
    To avoid confusion, when someone uses the phrase off the record now, I always stop them and clarify can it be used or not. Of course, sometimes contacts tell you information to clarify and explain things without wanting that bit reported.
    For me good press officers would say `You can't use this, but here is the story for your information and better understanding...' That avoids any confusion.
    So, it got me thinking: do most hack regard off the record as youy can use the information unattributed or you can't use it at all?

    What does `off the record' mean to you? 9 votes

    It means you can't use the information you are given
    0% 0 votes
    It means you can use it, but in an unattributed form
    33% 3 votes
    It's totally confusing.
    66% 6 votes


Comments

  • #2
    Xavi6
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,919 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    I'd regard it as info you can't use at all directly but can use as a source to lead you to where the true story is.


  • #3
    uptherebels
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,895 ✭✭✭uptherebels


    I always took it as -heres the info but you didnt hear it from me.


  • #4
    jdivision
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,260 ✭✭✭jdivision


    Ireland is a bit different from the international norm. Here off the record means unattributed, internationally it means can't be used at all. On background means you can use it but without attribution and on deep background means you can only use it if someone else will back it up.


  • #5
    Gekko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,189 ✭✭✭Gekko


    I'd qualify it by saying that it depends on the information.

    If it is something that's not libellous or slanderous or that's going to get anyone into major trouble, then I'd say you can use it unattributed.

    For something more serious then as jdivision says it's background info that you need to get someone else to back up and go on the record about.


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