off the record portion of an interview

What Are the Rules About ‘Off the Record’?

Learn to navigate the tricky terrain of on and off the record

Here’s a popular journo question: “I’ve read threads about ‘on’ vs. ‘off’ the record, but, for etiquette purposes, how is this determined?” You’d be surprised how often we hear this question. And not even just from fledgling reporters—veteran journalists struggle with the fine distinctions among the various levels of on-the-record-ness. Navigating this terrain can sometimes…