ON THE RECORD
- The journalist can use whatever you say if you are a source speaking on the record.
- The source will be quoted directly or paraphrased with attribution.
OFF THE RECORD
- The source of information will not be quoted in a news story
- Without this agreement, the source is always on the record.
- Off the record, a source wishes to maintain its confidentiality rights.
- The journalist can ensure this by conducting the interview off the record.
- The information given to a journalist can be used only without a source credit.
- Journalists mostly look for ways to verify it or use another source to confirm the information on the record.
WORKS CITED
Creighton, Tyler. “On the Record, Off the Record, On Background, and Not for Attribution – Explained.” ReThink Media, 21 Sept. 2016, rethinkmedia.org/blog/on-record-off-record-on-background-and-not-attribution-explained/. ReThink Media
Rogers, Tony. “How to Use Attribution Correctly in Journalism.” ThoughtCo, 7 May 2025, thoughtco.com/attribution-when-writing-news-stories-2074313
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.
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