What is Off the Record?
Off the record means the information cannot be published, quoted, or attributed — it exists solely to inform the reporter's understanding. The agreement must be negotiated and accepted by the reporter before the information is shared; you cannot retroactively make something off the record after you say it. Even off-record conversations shape coverage, so treat them as carefully as any on-record interview. Crackle PR treats off-the-record conversations as high-trust exercises reserved for reporters our senior team has known for years — the risk of a misread agreement is too high for any other context.
Related terms
On the Record
Anything you say can be quoted by the reporter with full attribution to you by name and title.
On Background
Information a reporter can use, but only with a pre-agreed attribution like "a company spokesperson."
Media Training
Coaching executives to handle interviews, on-camera appearances, and high-stakes communications.
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