OK, quick rant about groups that put on events and don't make any indication that they're off the record. This happened this morning to something my publication intended to cover. Reporter showed up and they said, um, this is a sensitive government subject, off the record. No indication of that in the program. (They couldn't even keep the programs straight - there were two versions floating around online with no indication which was more recent.) I went yesterday and nobody said "Just FYI, this one tomorrow is off the record."

Same thing happened several months ago with another group that does a lot of events in DC. Three reporters show up, including me, and the moderator says "just a reminder that this is off the record." We fumed, walked out and I was tasked with writing a scolding letter for the three of us. Turns out the event was advertised by three different groups, but only labeled off the record in one of the notices, which none of us had seen. They started labeling things "off the record" very clearly, so we appreciate it.

Why does this matter? Because we've got better things to do than show up and get nothing out of our event. We can't make money lawyering or contracting or bureaucrating or whatever with what we've learned. It shows a complete lack of respect not only for the traditional media there, but also for the increasing number of attendees who are blogging what they're hearing. And trust me, bloggers are not shy about sharing their irritation with their readers when a group flubs something as easy as labeling an event off the record.

If we'll protest outside CBS in our pajamas, what does that say about our inhibition in calling you an SOB?