Hintergrundgespr?che oder Off-the-record-Gespr?che k?nnen sehr wertvoll sein, um einen vertrauensvollen Umgang mit Journalistinnen und Journalisten zu etablieren und gezielt zum Beispiel strategische Informationen zu platzieren. Hintergrundgespr?che müssen nicht so "auf den Punkt" sein wie regul?re Interviews. Es ist auch Raum für Zwischent?ne und ansatzweise Pers?nliches. In dieser Art von Gespr?chen ist h?ufig ein Blick hinter die Kulissen m?glich, der Verst?ndnis schafft für Entscheidungen und Weichenstellungen, die vielleicht erst sp?ter kommen.

Let's be very clear ... there is no such thing as "off-the-record". If you say something to a journalist, you can be quoted. And in 15 years of practising PR, I've never had such a request from a journalist. So, if you do get one, you need to question the nature of it. Rather than agreeing on 'clear boundaries' with the journalist, these need to be established with the client; a good PR will know the ins and outs of a client's business and be aware of what constitutes 'sensitive information' – and it'd only be in very exceptional circumstances that this should be disclosed. So, it comes down to being very clear on messaging before committing to any dialogue. Lastly, if you don't want to share sensitive information; don't share it.

As a qualified journalist - off the record (in tv and in law) is only valid when a journalist agrees with that request in writing or verbally and it's an agreement they can withdraw if they deem that the information shared is in the 'public interest'. Journalists do this a lot mostly with organisations like the police. Therefore don't use this as a throwaway comment with a journalist ever. It's the same as any contract - both parties have to agree and even then there are caveats. If your client's reputation is on the line, come up with a plan for all scenarios or outcomes and buy time by finding out what the journalist's deadline is. Don't assume a journalist will go away, don't threaten them (they know the law) and avoid 'no comment'.

Here’s how to handle this situation while balancing transparency, trust, and protection of your client’s interests: 1. Clarify the Terms Immediately Confirm what “off-the-record” means to the journalist, as interpretations may vary. Some use it to mean the information won’t be published, while others may use it as background context. If you’re unsure of the journalist's intentions, propose "on background" instead, meaning the journalist can use the information without attributing it to a specific source. 2. Know What You Can and Cannot Share Before sharing anything, understand which details can be disclosed safely and which are sensitive or protected.

When dealing with off-the-record requests, it’s important to clarify the terms upfront, ensuring both parties agree on what “off the record” means. Next, evaluate the potential risks and benefits of sharing sensitive information, keeping the client’s reputation as the top priority. Before any information is shared, always seek explicit approval from the client. This approach balances protecting the client’s interests with maintaining a professional rapport with the journalist.