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Embargoment in the journalistic context refers to an agreement between a news source (e.g. a government agency, company or individual) and the media (newspapers, television, radio or online news) that authorizes the publication of information or regulates messages at a specific time. During the embargo period, the media is not allowed to publish or disseminate the information or news received until the specified time has expired.
Blocking periods are agreed for various reasons:
Coordination: In some cases, a blackout period is agreed to ensure that all media outlets report on an important news story at the same time. This allows the news source to coordinate publication and ensure that no information is leaked prematurely.
Research time: Members of the media can use the embargo period to gather more information, check facts and conduct background research before publishing a story.
Exclusivity: News sources may provide media outlets with exclusive insights or interviews provided they do not publish the information until the embargo period expires.
Fairness: embargo periods are intended to ensure that media companies report fairly and responsibly, rather than publishing information prematurely or with errors.
Control: News sources have the ability to control the publication of information and ensure that it is presented in a specific context.
Sensitivity: In cases where information is sensitive or confidential, an embargo period can help prevent it from becoming public prematurely.
It is important to note that embargo periods are typically based on trust and agreement between news sources and the media. Failure to comply with an embargo period may result in legal consequences or loss of trust from the news source. Journalists and media organizations therefore typically strive to respect and adhere to embargo periods in order to maintain their credibility and access to information.