Journalists seeking to engage with State Department officials must adhere to established ground rules for interviews. These guidelines ensure clarity on how information can be used or attributed during conversations.
There are four levels of attribution: "on the record," where quotes can be directly attributed by name and title; "on background," allowing for direct or paraphrased quotes attributed to a "State Department official" or "Administration official"; "on deep background," where no direct quotes or identification is permitted, using phrases like “it is understood that”; and "off the record," where information cannot be used in stories but serves only to educate the reporter.
The U.S.-Africa Media Hub, located in Johannesburg, South Africa, plays a significant role in fostering transatlantic relations. It connects U.S. policymakers with African media outlets, providing access for interviews on current topics. The hub works alongside the Public Diplomacy Office of the U.S. Mission to the African Union and Public Diplomacy Offices at U.S. Embassies throughout Africa.
The goal is to bridge U.S. policy perspectives with European publics through media engagement, supporting African media organizations in accessing U.S. government policymakers.