What does off the record mean?
Off the record means that what you tell a journalist may not be published, not even anonymously. It is an agreement you make in advance and explicitly, never afterwards. Journalists do use the information as background to understand the story, but they may not quote from it.
Written by Timon Hendriks · Last updated on 12 July 2026
How it works in practice
The agreement only works when both sides make it explicit before the conversation. Say literally that something is off the record and wait for confirmation before you continue. Pulling something back after you have said it does not work: whatever was said on the record, the journalist can simply use.
Use off the record sparingly and with purpose, for example to give context on a sensitive matter or to keep a journalist from a factual error. Remember it rests on trust: the agreement is not legally enforceable. So never share off the record what genuinely must stay secret; what the press must not know, you do not tell the press.
Example
A Denver contractor gets a call about a dispute with a client. The owner wants to give the journalist context without damaging the relationship in print. He asks whether they can speak off the record, the journalist agrees, and he explains the background. The article carries only his short official statement, but thanks to that context the story is factually accurate.
Common mistake
Declaring something off the record after the fact. The agreement only holds when made in advance; what you have already said is and remains usable material for the journalist.
Frequently asked questions
Is off the record legally binding?
No, it is a trust-based agreement within journalistic ethics. Nearly all journalists honor it, but you have no legal recourse if it goes wrong. Never share anything that truly must stay secret.
What is the difference between off the record and on background?
Off the record may not be published at all. On background may be used and published, but without your name as the source.