the following conventions are generally accepted: "On the record": all that is said can be quoted and attributed. "Unattributable": what is said can be reported but not attributed. "Off the record": the information is provided to inform a decision or provide a confidential explanation, not for publication. However, confusion over the precise meaning of "unattributable" and "off-the-record" has led to more detailed formulations: See also Angle Shield laws in the United States Notes References McQuail, D. (1994) Mass Communication Theory. London: Sage. Shoemaker, P. and Reese, S.D. (1996) Mediating the Message. London: Longman. External links Be Clear About Your Source's Biases and Agendas. Project for Excellence in Journalism. Archived from the original on 18 November 2005. Chart – Real and Fake News (2016)/Vanessa Otero (basis) (Mark Frauenfelder) Chart – Real and Fake News (2014) (2016)/Pew Research Center Information for Journalists from the United States Department of State (scroll to "Ground Rules for Interviewing State Department Officials" section) Protection of journalistic sources, a factsheet of the ECtHR case law Viewers as Sources , from Newslab Journalism standards