Off the record, for now

Jeff Jarvis has some thoughts on how well ‘off the record’ can work in our increasingly public world:

“The argument for making things off-the-record is that participants will feel freer to talk and to be candid. And that seems to make sense. But at a place like Davos [World Economic Forum], you’re still talking among people who can affect policy, business, brand, media, and careers. And they talk. Just because it’s not in the press or on blogs doesn’t mean such a lapse won’t have an impact.

“Now add to this the live nature of media today. Someone could have broadcast that moment [a heated exchange in a meeting] live or Twittered it as it happened. No one in that room did or likely would because we all want to be invited back to Davos. Yes, that motivates me to follow the rule. But at any other event that is supposed to be off the record, there is surely someone in the room who won’t care. And once it’s out online, it’s out.”