Hintergrundgespräch
background briefing (off-the-record talk)
noun HIN-ter-grunt-geh-shprekh Rare
Also means
deep background conversation
Usage Note
Hintergrundgespräch is an off-the-record or not-for-attribution conversation between a politician or official and journalists. The information may be used to inform reporting but the source cannot be named. It is a recognised practice (Hintergrundkreis) in German political journalism, particularly in Berlin and Brussels.
Examples
"Der Minister lud ausgewählte Journalisten zu einem Hintergrundgespräch ins Ministerium."
Natural Translation
The minister invited selected journalists to a background briefing at the ministry.
Literal Translation
The minister invited selected journalists to a background-conversation into the ministry.
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