are text messages on the record?

[ReggieRedbird57]

I do a lot of texting with coaches, players, administrators, etc. Most times, I pick up the phone and talk, but in some cases I text for convenience purposes, especially if it's something quick, easy and non-controversial. If I text, is it on the record? I did this tonight with an athlete regarding recruiting information. At first, I was going to tweet it, but then I asked if that was OK. Are texts on the record? Thoughts? Suggestions? Stories?

Thanks

 

[spikechiquet]

If they know you are a reporter...then it's on the record.

 

[Stitch]

You have to make sure it's worth pissing off a source if they don't know beforehand you're needing their comments for a story.

 

[ReggieRedbird57]

I would never text a source if it is controversial. I always call.

 

[Rhody31]

I would say it goes on a case-to-case basis.
You don't want to print a text that says something like "State liks my stylz and the ppl r kewl, so ill ball for dem nxt yr. "

 

[JRoyal]

I would say it goes on a case-to-case basis.
You don't want to print a text that says something like "State liks my stylz and the ppl r kewl, so ill ball for dem nxt yr. "

I want to see that in print so bad now.

 

[spikechiquet]

I would say it goes on a case-to-case basis.
You don't want to print a text that says something like "State liks my stylz and the ppl r kewl, so ill ball for dem nxt yr. "

You mean "I feel State U likes my ball handling ability, and knowledge of their style. The guys on the team got me drunk on my recruiting trip and a hot chick told me she wanted to date me. With the knowledge I attained there, I have chosen them next season."

 

[Den1983]

You have to tread lightly. And yes, be well aware you'll **** off a source if he thinks something is off the record and mere chit-chat between the two of you.

 

[schiezainc]

I do a lot of texting with coaches, players, administrators, etc. Most times, I pick up the phone and talk, but in some cases I text for convenience purposes, especially if it's something quick, easy and non-controversial. If I text, is it on the record? I did this tonight with an athlete regarding recruiting information. At first, I was going to tweet it, but then I asked if that was OK. Are texts on the record? Thoughts? Suggestions? Stories?

Thanks

If you're a 15-year old girl, then, yes, text away but if you're going for something that's worth printing in a newspaper, it should be done over the phone.

After all, how can you verify that the person you sent the text to was the person who responded to you? You're just opening up a can of worms that's not worth the trouble to spend three minutes actually talking to the person.

If you're just looking for background info, though, I say it's fine. A direct quote though? Gotta ring 'em up.

 

[ColdCat]

definitely tread lightly there. using a text for background or even something innocent would be fine, but anything more than that would require more. Anything that could be construed as controversial would have to be a phone call at the least, if not in person. If you were tempted to use a text and there are no other options, follo with "can I run this?"

 

[flexmaster33]

Text to get a score update or some such simple info...you don't conduct an interview via text message.

 

[Azrael]

Is everything everyone says to you on the phone on the record?

 

[Mizzougrad96]

You can call all you want. If you're dealing with certain athletes or coaches, you may be lucky to get that text.

I would sometimes text them back with "I'm going to quote you on that, OK?" if there was a need.

The one time it wasn't, the guy called me and talked to me for 15 minutes and while he wouldn't go on the record, he gave me so much background that I was able to get the GM to change what he had previously said.

 

[Stitch]

Is everything everyone says to you on the phone on the record?

Yes, unless it's specifically off-the-record. Of course these Journalism 101 concepts don't take into account sources you need on a continuing basis, who might not like getting burned by something they said off hand.

 

[ShiptoShore]

Is everything everyone says to you on the phone on the record?

Yes, unless it's specifically off-the-record. Of course these Journalism 101 concepts don't take into account sources you need on a continuing basis, who might not like getting burned by something they said off hand.

"Well, the team we're playing tomorrow just isn't very good. And I don't want that published."

 

[JRoyal]

When Urban Meyer resigned, there were ridiculous rumors going around about Bob Stoops being in Florida and about to take the job. One of the Tulsa World's writers contacted Stoops, who texted him back to say that he wasn't in Florida and wasn't leaving OU. The writer put it up as a blog, and I can't remember if we ran it as a story or not online. But at the time, Stoops didn't want to spend a bunch of time on the phone shooting down a rumor when a quick text would suffice.

In a case like that, do you run with it, or do you not go with it since it's a text message?

 

[dirtybird]

Lord I hate texting sources.

 

[Spartan Squad]

It depends on your relationship with your source. I have a reporter who was texting a council member and told him to call or e-mail her a comment on something, he texted it instead. Some athletes/coaches/politicians don't have that close relationship with a reporter, so anything said to one is understood it's on the record. Take the Brett Farve saga and how he responded to somethings in a text message. If you are close with the source, or regularly converse with him or her socially, you should probably double check before you quote a text.
In all cases, if you get a quote via text, you better make sure the other side knows you're using at such either before getting the quote or after.

 

[jlee]

I'd treat them like e-mails.

 

[Bubbler]

I would sometimes text them back with "I'm going to quote you on that, OK?" if there was a need.

This.

Edit: I only do this once with a source. Once he says its OK to use a text, to me, its understood from that point forward that texts are on-the-record.