What exactly does “off the record” mean? To trained journalists, the meaning of that phrase is simple: you can’t use this information in any way, shape or form. But to many marketers, business execs and even some reporters, the term is interpreted differently. This confusion can create misunderstanding and embarrassment.
In Tech PR War Stories episode 8, David Strom and I discuss the distinctions between “off the record,” “not for attribution,” “on background” and other types of digressions. We also give our quick takes on some recent breaking news in medialand.
Maybe we should abandon the practice of speaking off the record.
That’s an excellent idea. There is little benefit to either party in speaking off the record and plenty of opportunities for trouble. My advice to PR pros: just don’t do it.