What does "on background" mean in sourcing?

What does "on background" mean in sourcing?

• A. Information can be used but not attributed to a name.
• B. Information can be used and attributed to a name.
• C. Information may be cited with generic descriptions of the source.
• D. Information cannot be used in reporting.

Answer: (A)

In sourcing, on background means you can use the information, but you cannot attribute it to a named individual. You might refer to the source in a generic way, like “an official” or “a government spokesperson,” but you don’t reveal who exactly gave you the information. That core restriction—non-naming—is what this option captures. So the best answer is the one that says information can be used but not attributed to a name. It reflects the key practice of preserving anonymity of the source while still letting the information inform the report. The idea behind other phrasing is related (you may describe the source generically), but the essential point of on background is avoiding naming the source.

In sourcing, on background means you can use the information, but you cannot attribute it to a named individual. You might refer to the source in a generic way, like “an official” or “a government spokesperson,” but you don’t reveal who exactly gave you the information. That core restriction—non-naming—is what this option captures.

So the best answer is the one that says information can be used but not attributed to a name. It reflects the key practice of preserving anonymity of the source while still letting the information inform the report. The idea behind other phrasing is related (you may describe the source generically), but the essential point of on background is avoiding naming the source.