What is "background," "on background," and "off the record" in sourcing and how should they be used?

• A. Background means information can be used non-identifiably; on background allows attribution to the source but not name; off the record cannot be published.
• B. Background means you must reveal the name; on background means publish name later; off the record means the source is incorrect.
• C. Background means publish all details; on background means publish the name; off the record means publish everything.
• D. They are interchangeable terms.

Answer: (A)

In sourcing, these terms set how you can use information and who you can reveal about where it came from. Background means you can use the information, but you don’t identify the source by name; you might refer to the source by position or organization. On background allows you to publish the information but only with attribution to the source by description or position, not by name. Off the record means the information cannot be published or attributed at all, and it’s typically used only to inform the journalist’s understanding or future work.

This matches the idea that background is non-identifiable use, on background permits some attribution without naming the source, and off the record restricts publication. The other options describe attribution or publication rules inaccurately.