Journalist type peoples : OFF THE RECORD

[dcharlie]

The Scotsman newspaper quoted Ms Power as saying: "She is a monster, too - that is off the record - she is stooping to anything."

now , forgive me for being thick but i assumed that there was an understanding in journalism circles that when you declare something off the record you -don't- publish that piece of information?

I mean, my feeble experience in this field was limited to interviewing bands/musicians, but there was a clear understanding that if the phrase "off the record" was used, then that would not be making it in to any interview that was published.

What is your take on the above? (this is the Obama aide story of course)

[chiller]

Never trust a Scotsman. 

[Fresh Prince]

I think "Off the record' is like an individual agreement between a source and a reporter which other reporters aren't beholden. If it's within earshot or secondhand it's fair game.

[Eric P]

the mic is always on, and what you say will always be assumed to be on the record.

it's like...modern american politics 101

[Phoenix Dark]

the mic is always on, and what you say will always be assumed to be on the record.

it's like...modern american politics 101

Yup. Plus there's always someone willing to leak the news to the bigger media no matter what, especially when it's as juicy as Power's comment(s)

[TakingBackSunday]

Among other things already said here, it also depends on the severity of what's said.  This isn't really severe or dangerous, so I don't really know why it's in the article.

In a perfect world, that sort of off the record agreement would always be followed, but I wouldn't be surprised if mroe often than not things that are stated to be off the record are printed anyway.

[Phoenix Dark]

If someone say "this is off the record, but Bush knocked the towers down, everyone in Washington knows.." it would be on CNN in ten minutes

[APF]

In fairness, I'm sure much worse things have been said about Hillary in the Barack Hussein Obama campaign offices.