‘On Background’ and ‘Not on Tape’ in Reporting

ON BACKGROUND

• —  Information that a source shares on the background is used without revealing the source’s identity.
• —  Sources may agree to a description of their position.
• —  Whistle-blowers who would like to expose malpractices often share information on background.
• —   Reporters verify the information that is shared on background using other sources.
• —  On-background sources are quotable without a specific name.

NOT ON TAPE

• —   Some sources insist that all or part of the interview with the reporter should not be captured in an audio or video recording (“tape“).
• —   In not on tape, the reporter may report the information given by the source, but without recording it in an audio/video recording mode.

WORKS CITED

Poynter Institute. “On Background Is Common Journalism Lingo. What Does It Mean?” Poynter, 11 Nov. 2021, https://www.poynter.org/commentary/2021/on-background-is-common-journalism-lingo-what-does-it-mean/.        

Dr Aswathy Aravindakshan

Dr Aswathy Aravindakshan is a teacher, bilingual writer and artist with over two decades of experience in teaching English language and literature. She currently serves as Assistant Professor of English at NSS College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Her blog, ashlit.in brings together academic resources, creative writing in Malayalam and English, and visual art. The platform features lecture notes, study materials, poems, reflections, short prose, and a curated collection of her paintings. Through this space, she seeks to foster learning, creativity, and meaningful engagement with literature and the arts.