If no agreement can be reached on the use of interviews, interviewees may withdraw an interview. However, they cannot withdraw the information contained in the interview. In this case, we may quote the statement in indirect speech.

Deadlines must be respected when withdrawing an interview. Withdrawing an interview shortly before a planned broadcast (if the withdrawal jeopardises the broadcast of the report/programme) is abusive and does not have to be taken into account. Withdrawals must be justified; general or subsequent tactical withdrawals will not be accepted.

For media-savvy individuals such as politicians, managers, press spokespeople or celebrities, the right to withdraw an interview is restricted, especially if the interview was properly agreed on (topic, interview date, form of publication). However, statements that are obviously false may be withdrawn by media-savvy individuals.

The right to withdraw is also restricted in the case of larger-scale projects, such as a long-term documentary about a person’s career. Accordingly, before the start of the collaboration, these protagonists must be informed in detail about the scope of their participation and the restriction on withdrawing from such a project arising from the consent they have given. As justification, they are informed about the complexity of the project.

Being transparent with audiences is important: if the withdrawal of an interview influences the way something is presented, this should be disclosed where appropriate.