🖋️Off The Record, On Background & Other Journalist Secret Codes
Magic spells for talking with media: Context Collapse #149
In this issue: Asking a journalist not to write something/Asking a journalist not to quote you/When they listen and when they don’t/What to do if something goes wrong.
Journalists, like any other specialist occupation, have their own lingo they use when talking with civilians on the job and which sources use when talking to them.
“Off the record,” “on background” and all those other codes which, in theory, turn a journalist’s note taking ability into on, off and hold modes when they’re speaking with the public.
In theory, they’re magic words like “Abracadabra” or “Hocus Pocus” which make a journalist follow your bidding. In real life, it’s more complicated.
Moreso, movies and TV shows make them sound interesting. I assure you, as a longtime journalist who now makes money advising companies how to shill their goods… They aren’t.
But, but, but… If you int…
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