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Topic: On record/off record
| Author | Message |
| ninakix | Posted – 2/17/2006 12:28:01 PM | show profile So, I'm interviewing someone for an article and at the very end when I'm verifying the spelling of his name he suddenly says that he wants to get the interview approved by HR. The source hasn't had a lot of contact with the media. I explain to him that usually in an interview, the moment a person consents to an interview everything is on the record. He says that it isn't up to him, HR is away and won't be back till Monday so he can't talk to me until Monday (which is interesting cause I've already asked all the information I needed). I can easily call back his secretary and ask her to spell his name or I can look it up online. He hasn't said anything that would be considered controversial and the topic itself isn't particularily controversial either. He's just the only person who I was able to get ahold of for this quote. Chances are, I won't be talking to this guy again as a source. Should I try and look for another source or use his quote anyways? |
| ninakix | Posted – 2/17/2006 12:29:34 PM | show profile *Forgot to clarify that my deadline is today and that's why I can't wait untill Monday. |
| Cyrus | Posted – 2/17/2006 1:06:26 PM | show profile You should tell your editor this situation and see how they want to handle it. Legally speaking, you have every right to use the information, as long as he knew you were a reporter and interviewing him for a story. The question really comes down to whether or not your editor wants to risk any potential fallout. You want them behind you in the event the person does cause trouble. ------ Cyrus Afzali Astoria Communications www.astoriacomm.com |
| bjoconnorfla | Posted – 2/17/2006 1:14:26 PM | show profile Well, this guy screwed up by not following his own procedures in the first place, so he's put you in an awkward situation. You're certainly free to use it, but before you turn absolutist you should consider the outcome: -- Either he won't talk to you in the future or the entire company won't talk to you is the most likely. -- After that, it's he won't talk to the publication and neither will the firm; --Next, the company could pull any advertising/sponsorships with the publication; -- Or he can charge that it was off the record, you used it and misquoted him, smearing you to your editor or others; --Finally, he could get fired for violating company policy. Is it to this guy's advantage to be in your story? If so, I'd pressure him to track down ''HR'' (there has GOT to be more than one person who can authorize the interview; he's just being chicken becase he violated company policy). |
| in the desert | Posted – 2/21/2006 2:20:06 AM | show profile | email poster What did you end up doing? |
