Do you know what's on and off the record?

Great post today at The Spectator (T.O. Life's media blog) about Tucker Carlson's recent spat with Gerri Peev from The Scotsman about what constitutes on and off the record.

The Spec does a good job laying out the issue, so just read Mr. Bell's post and check out the brief YouTube clip.

It has never occurred to me in my short career that what Carlson suggests could be a feasible way to work. It's seems stupid. I personally would never write a word if all someone had to so was say "...but that's OTR" to get me to put my pen down.

Though it's not really surprising that Carlson's attitude exists. I have to explain OTR to my interview subjects all the time. I don't always run what they try to erase from the record, but I consider it fair game. Many don't get that you can't just un-tell a reporter something. We aren't paid to keep people's filthy secrets.