As a public safety official, it’s important to know when you’re speaking “on-the record” to a member of the media. Understand the difference between speaking on-the-record, off-the-record and on background.
On–the–Record – At any point that you’re speaking to a reporter, you are on-the-record. On-the-record is a common media term used in everyday reporting, stating that any information you provide can be and will be attributed to you. Always assume you are on-the-record! A journalist will directly quote this information from you. Reporters will use your first name, last name and title when siting an official in their reporting. If you do not wish to speak on-the-record, you and the reporter have to both agree BEFORE you start talking. It’s your responsibility to make it clear if your conversation is either on or off the record. (Example: Lt. John Johnson said the suspect has been arrested.)
Off–the–Record – The term off-the-record has been given several meanings. Any information given off-the-record cannot be attributed to that official. In order to use the information with an attributable name, the reporter must obtain it from a source on-the-record. Officials often use this term when they want to provide context or information that is not public knowledge at the time.
It’s important to note that while most journalists will protect the identities of their confidential sources, they are not required by law to honor off-the-record conversations, or their personal sources’ identities. Officials should be cautious when speaking off-the-record to journalists they do not already have an established relationship with.
Officials should also be hesitant when providing info if they could easily be recognized as the reporter’s source (i.e. Only you and one other person has this sensitive information). (Example: Sgt. Nick Nickerson told the reporter off-the-record that the fire was considered suspicious. The reporter spoke to someone from the Fire Marshal’s office on-the-record and confirmed that the fire was suspicious and attributed the information to the Fire Marshal’s office.)
On Background – Similar to off-the-record, speaking on background can provide reporters with information or context about a situation. However, unlike off-the-record, journalists can use this information as long as they don’t identify the source by name. (Example: Capt. Peter Peterson told a reporter on background that the deceased victim in the case was a single mother with three young kids. The reporter put the information in their story but attributed it to a “law enforcement official” or “a source”.)
Learn more about speaking with the media in Public Relations and Media Relations for First Responders.