In journalism, background is a term used by some journalists to describe a communication between a source and a journalist, where the journalist does not identify the source, but repeats the information the source has provided.
Other journalists, particularly investigative journalists, would disagree with this definition. For them, "off the record" means they will use information without revealing the source's identity, but "background" or "deep background" means they will use the source's information only to enhance the way they view an issue, but will not use it directly. Some journalists will not accept information "on background" or even "off the record" as they feel it compromises them, or may be intended to mislead them.
For journalists who regard information received on background as usable, the most confidential category is deep background. With deep background, nothing from a source may appear in an article or on air. The information can be used only if confirmed by another source not speaking on background, whereupon it might be attributed to the second source. For example, during the Watergate Scandal, a confidential informant, codenamed Deep Throat, gave information on a "deep background" basis to the Washington Post. While Woodward and Bernstein could use what they'd been told in their investigations, they could not quote Deep Throat directly or indirectly, nor give any identifying information as to who he was or how they were able to communicate with him. In their book about Watergate, All the President's Men, Deep Throat consented to move from deep background to background and the public became aware of the existence of this source.
Because there is no agreed definition of these terms, experienced journalists tend to clarify with a source precisely how their information will be used before speaking to them in depth.
George Freeman, attorney for the New York Times told the American Journalism Review: "Yes, there are [differences between these terms], but I've never quite figured them out. I tell reporters if they really want the source to understand, make it clear. But those words generally cause more confusion than anything else." [1]
See also
Last updated: 05-07-2005 15:08:55
