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All-In [26968]
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I have what may be a dumb question: "off-the-record".
Jun 21, 2019, 12:06 PM
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What is the gain for the person making comments "off-the-record"? I can understand why journalists would like to hear it, but I have trouble seeing what the provider of the information has to gain. Is it about garnering more trust or favor with journalists?
What kind of limits does it have? Can I say, "off the record, I killed that guy"? Extreme example, but is there a level at which the information is critical enough, so that the information should or must be shared with somebody by the journalist?
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CU Medallion [54758]
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yes, you pretty much got it:
Jun 21, 2019, 12:08 PM
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that WAS a dumb question.
i have no real response.
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All-In [47795]
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sometimes the off-the-record comments
Jun 21, 2019, 12:10 PM
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help a journalist verify other information. Credible journalists have multiple sources for their information.
Example: NBC News reports that Trump cabinet member called Trump an idiot. Perhaps one source is willing to go on the record with such a hearsay statement. NBC may want to verify the statement with two other independent sources who may or may not want to go on the record but are willing to verify the accuracy of the other parties' statement.
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All-In [26968]
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Yes, I can see how it helps the journalist...
Jun 21, 2019, 12:22 PM
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What I'm trying to figure out is how it helps the person making the comments off-the-record, especially for a person in authority, like the President. What does the President get, that would make him want to make comments "off-the-record"? Why not just not say the information?
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Hall of Famer [21614]
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Re: Yes, I can see how it helps the journalist...
Jun 21, 2019, 12:26 PM
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If you don't say off the record during a planned interview, you are consenting to being quoted.
If you don't give the reporter anything to feel special about, they may find that their best path is to do an "un-authorized" angle. Trump loves Fox because he sees them as allies. So he feeds them more than anyone else.
Politicians biggest enemies or friends could be "journalists." This is why large corporations bought all of them.
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All-In [48078]
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Re: Yes, I can see how it helps the journalist...
Jun 21, 2019, 12:47 PM
[ in reply to Yes, I can see how it helps the journalist... ] |
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Because they can give the info and still stay under the radar. They dont want be grilled by other journalists or others in the workplace etc. It's just a simple way. They can give info without having to deal with all the bull shyatt afterwards. It allows them to talk freely.
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Hall of Famer [21614]
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I like your question. From what I understand it
Jun 21, 2019, 12:13 PM
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is about developing a mutually beneficial relationship between a person and a reporter. Reporter's know that sources are their lifeline, and the reportee (person being reported on) wants the cooperation of journalists as much as possible.
Off the record comments can provide context for a reporter to help their story without having to say "so-and-so said this." It's similar to someone saying "You didn't hear this from me." The same thing goes on in the intel business.
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Legend [15730]
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I think it’s basically that getting the info out will benefit the provider of
Jun 21, 2019, 12:34 PM
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information or benefit their agenda, but being linked to the information will harm them.
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All-In [26968]
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Ah, so he says it "off-the-record", which spurs
Jun 21, 2019, 12:39 PM
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the journalist to go fishing about that thing, get someone to say it on-the-record, and then it's reported, but it came from someone else, officially.
That makes sense.
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CU Guru [1596]
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Read the book Bad Blood.
Jun 21, 2019, 12:51 PM
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It's written by a investigative reporter for the Wall Street Journal. As the story unfolds you will see the reasons why people may go on or not go on the record. It's a really good book as well.
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