To duck accountability, “on background” has become the default method by which Silicon Valley disseminates information, often abetted by tech journalists
it's become a scourge, and it's time to unite to destroy it. Me in @CJR: https://www.cjr.org/... Alex Kantrowitz / @kantrowitz : I'm with @bcmerchant on this one. Tech companies spinning on background is a scrouge and needs to stop. “A spokesperson should either go on the record or get off the phone.” https://www.cjr.org/... https://twitter.com/... Adam L. Penenberg / @penenberg : Excellent critique of that old journalism staple “on background,” tech companies' abuse of it, and the pernicious effect it can have. https://www.cjr.org/... @thetomzone : note that in this specific instance, the Google press team apparently expected that I would simply rephrase their (jaw-dropping) justification for them https://www.cjr.org/... https://twitter.com/... Brian Merchant / @bcmerchant : Hey everyone guess what an Instagram rep sent me in an email after I asked for comment for a story *today*: A reply under a bolded header reading ‘On Background’, which I in no way consented to. Just perfect https://twitter.com/... Charles Arthur / @charlesarthur : Brian is so right about this: the big tech companies use “on background” as a way to evade having their name attached to stuff. It's a means of evading responsibility, and journalism shouldn't enable that. (Very much easier said than done when you need a quote.) https://twitter.com/... Tony Romm / @tonyromm : susan raises good points here — you have to understand why people are asking for background in order to know the best way to approach it, then negotiate or navigate accordingly. https://twitter.com/... Brian Merchant / @bcmerchant : This piece was inspired by/rage-written after a long string of run-ins with the biggest tech companies going—every single convo I've had with them has been ‘on background’ this year—and by how @reckless, @thetomzone & @kellybourdet handled the YouTube Maza/Crowder snafu. Rob Pegoraro / @robpegoraro : Right on, @bcmerchant: the default Silicon Valley on-background response that can neither be quoted nor attributed generally boils down to cowardly control-freakery. https://www.cjr.org/... Michael Calore / @snackfight : “If an actual source—an engineer, or a policymaker—wants to go on background for protection, that's one thing. But a spokesperson should either go on the record or get off the phone.” https://www.cjr.org/... via @cjr Zo Bernard / @zoesaintbernard : it's rare that i get anyone in a position of power in silicon valley to go on the record w/ even the most mild-mannered opinion, much less company PR https://twitter.com/... Dr Karlin Lillington / @klillington : A routine ask of tech journalists. Recalling one event at Facebook Dublin, a ‘briefing’ on security/privacy, & only on arrival did they say it was a ‘background briefing’. PS haven't been invited back since — Tech journalism's ‘on background’ scourge https://www.cjr.org/... Ali Breland / @alibreland : this is good and true. massively powerful tech companies spend so much time behind the scenes sending “background info,” which is often just info intended silently influence the perspective of the reporter without the reader ever knowing https://twitter.com/... Sal / @sal19 : “Good, aggressive reporters are regularly pushing back against these ossified norms. We all should join them, and now. Tech PR shops exist solely to paint their employers in a flattering light; they can do so on the record.” https://www.cjr.org/... Martin Sfp Bryant / @martinsfp : Journalists often accept ‘on background’ because it's better than no comment at all. But it allows tech companies to get their point across without taking any flak if their position backfires. https://twitter.com/... Gideon Lichfield / @glichfield : “I decided that on all matters of importance, I am no longer going to listen to a public relations representative try to change my mind on background with unquotable statements attributable to no one.” We should all adopt @bcmerchant's policy (HT @jtemple) https://www.cjr.org/... James Temple / @jtemple : Glad to see this @CJR piece calling out big tech's background only media strategies, which they employ to force outlets to articulate their positions (and criticisms) for them https://www.cjr.org/... See also Mediagazer