Ground Rules For Inquiries

Ground rules must be agreed upon at the beginning of a conversation or an interview with staff. The discussion should proceed only after you are clear on exactly how the information can be used or attributed.

On the Record
Information may be quoted directly and attributed to the Hello Socialite Founder or Employee by name and title.

On Background
The Hello Socialite Founder or Employee’s remarks may be quoted directly or paraphrased and are attributed to a “Hello Socialite Representable” or “Hello Socialite Staff Member,” as determined by Hello Socialite, LLC.

On Deep Background
The Hello Socialite Founder or Employee cannot be quoted or identified in any manner, not even as “an unnamed source.” The information is usually couched in such phrases as “it is understood that” or “it has been learned.” The information may be used in the reporting to help present or gain a better understanding of the subject, but the knowledge is that of the reporter not the source.

Off the Record
Nothing of what the journalist is told may be used in the story. The information is meant only for the education of the reporter.