Editing Source (journalism) (section)

===Speaking terms===

There are several categories of "speaking terms" (agreements concerning attribution) that cover information conveyed in conversations with journalists. In the UK the following conventions are generally accepted:

* '''"On the record"''': all that is said can be quoted and attributed.
* '''"Unattributable"''': what is said can be reported but not attributed.
* '''"Off the record"''': the information is provided to inform a decision or provide a confidential explanation, not for publication.

However, confusion over the precise meaning of "unattributable" and "off-the-record" has led to more detailed formulations:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Designation
!Description
|-
|'''"[[Chatham House Rule]]"'''
|Named after [[Chatham House]] (the Royal Institute of International Affairs), which introduced the rule in 1927: "When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed".
|-
|'''"Lobby terms"''':<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/82525.stm |title=UK &#124; UK Politics &#124; Lobby correspondents |publisher=BBC News |date=2008-10-01 |access-date=2015-02-28}}</ref>
|In the [[United Kingdom|UK]] accredited journalists are allowed in to the otherwise restricted [[Members' Lobby]] on the basis that information received there is never attributed and events there are not reported. "Lobby terms" are agreed to extend this arrangement to cover discussions that take place elsewhere.
|-
|'''"Not for attribution"'''<ref name="CAJ">{{cite web |title=Protection of sources |url=https://caj.ca/protection-of-sources/ |publisher=[[Canadian Association of Journalists]] |access-date=25 December 2022 |date=10 November 2009}}</ref>
|The comments may be quoted directly, but the source may be identified only in general terms (e.g., "a government insider" or "company spokesperson"). In practice such general descriptions may be agreed with the interviewee.
|-
|'''"On background"'''<ref name="CAJ"/>
|The thrust of the briefing may be reported (and the source characterized in general terms as above) but direct quotes may not be used.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patel |first=Nilay |date=2021-11-10 |title=Updating The Verge’s background policy |url=https://www.theverge.com/press-room/22772113/the-verge-on-background-policy-update |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |quote=Being “on background” means that they tell things to reporters, but those reporters agree to not specifically attribute that information to a person by name.}}</ref>
|-
|'''"Deep background"'''
|A term that is used in the United States, though not consistently. Most journalists would understand "deep background" to mean that the information may not be included in the article but is used by the journalist to enhance his or her view of the subject matter, or to act as a guide to other leads or sources. Most deep background information is confirmed elsewhere before being reported. Alternative meanings exist; for instance, a White House spokesman said, "Deep background means that the info presented by the briefers can be used in reporting but the briefers can't be quoted."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/05/white-house-holds-offrecord-benghazi-briefing-163704.html?ml=bp |title=White House holds 'deep background' Benghazi briefing |work=Politico |date=2013-05-10 |access-date=2013-05-14}}</ref> Deep background can also mean the information received can be used in the story, but cannot be attributed to any source. Depending on the publication, information on deep background is sometimes attributed in terms such as "[Publication name] has learned" or "It is understood by [publication name]." <!--I've deleted the Deep Throat reference, because there's some confusion over whether Deep Throat started as deep background but then moved to background so the info could be used. Will check. -->
|}