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Journalism & Media vocabulary · Interviews and Quotes

On background

Meaning in journalism & media, with examples

phraseAdvanced term

In journalism & media, on background means: Given on the understanding that the information can be published but the source will not be named, only described in general terms.

In Turkish: isim verilmeme kaydıyla, kaynak gösterilmeden kullanılmak üzere, arka plan bilgisi olarak

How it is used

Mostly American newsroom and government press office language. Officials brief reporters on background, and stories then say a senior official said. Deep background means the information can guide reporting but cannot be attributed at all.

Example sentences

  1. The spokesperson agreed to explain the plan on background, as a company official.

  2. Is this conversation on background or off the record?

Common collocations

  • speak on background
  • brief on background
  • on deep background
  • background briefing
  • off the recordSaid privately to a journalist on the understanding that it will not be published, or at least not linked to the person who said it.
  • on the recordSaid in a way that can be published and openly attributed to the person who said it, using their name and position.
  • anonymous sourceA person who gives information to a journalist on the condition that their name is not published, usually because they could lose their job or be in danger.
  • spokespersonA person whose job is to speak to the media on behalf of an organisation, company, government body or public figure.

More terms: Interviews and Quotes

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