Speaking "off the record" is unacceptable

Once I was speaking with a reporter I had worked with in my newspaper days. We were chummy. He interviewed me about one of my clients. The interview was "over," and some normal human chit-chat between longtime colleagues ensued. About 10 minutes into our banter, I made a lighthearted remark. This is what he quoted in his article.

There was "no harm, no foul," but I leaned a lesson: There is no such thing as a friendly chat with a reporter. Even your good friends. You are never off the record; if you are talking with a reporter, blogger, etc., every word you say is fair game, regardless of any meaningless promises made, i.e. "This is just for background," or "Can we talk off the record?"

Your answer: "No."

You can never, ever, ever say anything to a reporter under any conditions unless you are willing to see it in the story.

Ever.

(Ever)


Steve Cebalt, Problem Solver
Highview Public Relations
www.highviewhelp.com
"Reputation and Crisis Management"
(260) 471-5870 e-mail: info@highviewhelp.com