We'll tell you when to write about it

摘要

Sometimes journalists are shown new products or told news in confidence - usually a month ahead of launch to give monthly magazines time to write. We are asked to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement, which specifies the product and date when the NDA expires. Although NDAs are very difficult to enforce, it is for most journalists a point of honour to conforn with what we sign. Until recently few people had any problems with this. But some companies now seem to be using NDAs to try and make inconsequential news look more important. And the NDAs look as if they have been drafted by lawyers who have no idea how journalism works.