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When “On the Record” is “On the Record”
September 7, 2007
The question of whether or not something someone said is on or off the record has come up a few times around the Tradeshow Week newsroom in the last few weeks.
When I call someone for a story my usual greeting is, “Hi, my name is Rachel Wimberly, I am a reporter for Tradeshow Week magazine and I am working on a story about …”, whatever that story might be.
Now, in this greeting two things are worth noting. I not only say I am a reporter, but also that I am working on a story.
Recently, I called someone up, identified myself and started asking questions. We talked for at least 20 minutes and then, right before I thanked them for their time and hung up, this person, actually a public relations representative, said, “So, are you going to quote me on any of what I said?”
Here’s the deal: If a reporter calls you up, says they are working on a story, asks you questions and you answer them, unless you say in the beginning, “Can this be off the record?” - of which any ethical reporter would certainly oblige - a reporter thinks it’s all ON the record.
Just to be clear, when the person asked me if they were being quoted, I, of course, said “Yes.”
In the same vein, TSW Editor-in-Chief Michael Hart recently called up yet another PR representative, identified himself, said he was working on a story, asked the PR rep a question, which they answered, and hung up. At no point did that person ask not to be quoted or whether or not the question was on or off the record.
So, the magazine comes out with the story with a quote by the person, who was truly displeased, saying they had no idea they were on the record.
I read this great piece of advice in a magazine given by a PR person for people who talk to the media: When a reporter calls you up, assume everything is on the record, unless it’s stated otherwise.
Posted by Rachel Wimberly on September 7, 2007 | Comments (1)
