Sorry, but there's no such thing as "off the record"

It must be something in the water but three times this week I’ve been asked to keep something “off the record” by interviewees.

Granted, I’ve been writing a feature on information security so it’s hardly surprising that people don’t want to shout about their experiences from the rooftops – but I’m still surprised to hear the phrase being bandied about.

I’ve also been caught out twice in the last month by interviewees who have angrily claimed that I’ve quoted them unfairly because they didn’t realise they were on the record. First time, I quoted someone giving a presentation at a conference. Second time, I interviewed someone for Magazine A but used the interview in Magazine B.

I don’t relish these sorts of confrontations – they take up time, they sour relationships and they always make me anxious that an editor is going to demand sight of my extremely wonky (but pretty accurate) shorthand notes.

So, what does “off the record” actually mean in practice?

• If you want something to be “off the record” then it must be requested before you say anything, and the journalist must agree. Even then, it’s a gentleman’s agreement. If in doubt about the hack’s integrity, don’t risk it!
• If you’re happy for the hack to use the information you’re providing but just don’t want it to be quoted as your view, then ask for it to be “non-attributed”. This means the hack can use it as background, but you will not be mentioned, or referenced only as “a well-placed source” or “spokesperson”
• When providing an off-the-record briefing make sure you and the hack both understand where the off-the-record starts and ends. Otherwise, you may find the second half of your brilliant interview never gets used.
• Some private meetings are held under Chatham Rules, which means reporters can say what was said, but not who said it. This can be useful where you want press coverage but want people to be able to speak freely. 
• Few reporters will thank you for thrusting a non-disclosure agreement or embargo agreement in front of their noses. Generally, our editors tell us not to sign them and if we do, they’re not enforceable anyway. 
• As a rule of thumb, anything you say in front of a reporter in a public place is fair game. So don’t say something stupid 10 seconds after the reporter closes their notebook (happy memories of the PR who once whispered to a colleague after an interview: wow, glad she didn’t focus too much on X. Talk about a tip-off! 

Comments

[Andrew Bruce Smith]

Completely agree - it is quite simple - if you don't want somebody to report something, don't tell them.

[Mark Hanson]

I think if you're looking to build a relationship or construct an article that has some genuine context, then its a no-brainer that you play the on/off record game.

Ask any City journalist and they'll tell you since tougher governance rules were brought in, they can't get any access to FTSE CEOs without an army of PR minders.

I've just posted on this in the context of the Clinton Monster/Scotsman issue.

http://pr-media-blog.co.uk/on-the-record/

[Michael Cross]

There's more on the Chatham House rule here:
http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/about/chathamhouserule/

m