News sources from the C-suite to the most junior issue expert serve themselves well when they become acquainted with the vernacular used by reporters.
Below are terms of art relative to the journalistic trade listed alphabetically from J to O. Earlier articles described the lingo from A to C, and from D to I. Familiarity with this journalistic jargon makes for smoother business deals with the press.
For the entire list of definitions (and much more), consult Chapter Six of Reporters Don’t Hate You: 100+ Amazing Media Relations Strategies. Let’s go.
Journalist: A person who reports for any media outlet – print, broadcast, or online. Reporters, editors, photographers, and videographers all fall into this classification.
Jump: When a newspaper leads with a story on page one then continues it inside, that continuation is the jump page. It’s a longstanding clever means of putting more content on the front page.
Kicker: Typically a light story that ends a radio or television news broadcast. It often features either a feel-good human interest dimension or a quirky angle.
Lede: The first sentence or idea of a news article. And no, it’s not a misspelling. The word originated in the 19th century when newspapers used hot lead type. The typesetters would get confused whether their editors meant the hot “lead” type or the “lead” of the article. Some clever soul decided to change the spelling of the article’s beginning. Now you can regale friends with this bit of trivia at your next soirée.
Letter to the editor: Itching to get something off your chest? Write a letter to the editor. Your odds are pretty good in smaller publications. If you’re aiming for the likes of The New York Times, however, you will need luck on your side.
Media relations: The practice of dealing with the press, ideally carried out by former reporters turned communications experts who know how reporters think and what they need. Sadly, not all organizations employ such experienced hands.
Media training: A series of strategic professional development workshops that show executives how to deal with the press. It should, at a minimum, cover messaging and communications skills enhancement, and offer simulated practice interviews. Conscientious consultants also include a long-term program capable of sustaining improvement over time.
News advisory: When you need to notify the press of a forthcoming newsworthy event, you issue a news advisory that includes its date, time, and place.
News conference: Also called a press conference, businesses hold these when they want to announce news to all reporters at the same time in the same place.
News director: They run radio and TV newsrooms. Assignment editors, editors, camera crews, producers, and reporters all answer to them. Title creep being what it is, some local TV news departments now have vice presidents of news; same thing.
News hole: Print publications only have so many pages. TV and radio news broadcasts only have so much time. That’s called the news hole, and it is shrinking in nearly all forms of traditional media.
News release (also called press release): A concise written document issued to the press announcing your latest news. Keep these brief regardless of how much regulatory verbiage you have to regurgitate; long news releases tend to go straight into most reporters’ circular files.
Not for attribution: The reporter may publish information provided by sources. The source can be quoted, though not by name. The reporter and communications expert must negotiate how the source will be identified (e.g., a company vice president, a source familiar with the negotiations).
Off the record: Nothing provided off the record can be used in print or broadcast. This is most frequently used to steer reporters in a particular direction while attempting to leave no fingerprints. Only experienced communicators should go off the record, and then only if they know and trust the reporter and media outlet.
On background: The reporter can use freely any information a source provides, either orally or in writing. However, the reporter cannot quote the source either by name or by other identification. Going on background is useful for individuals on the front lines of media relations who prefer that quotes come from others in the company.
On the record: Anything a source says can be quoted and any information supplied can be used with no restrictions. Note well that this is the default option for all media exchanges. Documents, wall hangings, overheard conversations, and nonverbal signals – such as a grimace or chuckle – are also fair game. Unless there is a compelling reason arguing against it, on the record interviews are the safest way to proceed.
Op-ed: Literally, opposite the editorial page. This is where guest writers can air their grievances and where the newspaper’s regular columnists are found. Guest slots go most frequently to those with name recognition or with large organizations that lend them some legitimacy.
C-suite Blueprint 
Glad you found it beneficial, Joan.
Thanks Ed, very useful piece. Joan