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Hintergrundgespräch

background briefing (off-the-record talk)

noun HIN-ter-grunt-geh-shprekh Rare
Communication Media

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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