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Ehhh, I don't think this accurately represents the situation with "on the record" or "off the record":

1. When a journalist identifies themself as a journalist, all conversations thereafter are assumed to be on the record unless specified otherwise.

2. Statements can't be made off the record after the fact--you have to say something is off the record before you say it for it to be considered off the record.

3. This is only journalist tradition, not law. Even if you say something is off the record, there's no real incentive for a journalist not to just publish it anyway, except their integrity. Journalists can and do break this rule, especially when they disagree with the person whose words they are reporting.



> Ehhh, I don't think this accurately represents the situation with "on the record" or "off the record"

I am not tying SSC's situation with the general theme of on- and off-the-record.

I will say your explanation of the difference is spot on.




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