A reporter has asked you a question that you know you cannot comment on. You should:

• A. Say "I cannot comment on that"
• B. Provide a partial answer
• C. Offer speculative information
• D. Redirect without comment

Answer: (A)

When you know you can’t comment, the best move is to set a clear boundary with a direct statement that you cannot comment. This approach communicates professionalism and avoids sharing anything that could be misquoted, misinterpreted, or later used against you or your organization. It respects any legal, contractual, or policy constraints and preserves the integrity of the information you can share.

Other options run into problems because partial answers can reveal sensitive details or imply facts that aren’t approved; speculative statements can mislead and create liability; and redirecting without comment can seem evasive and fails to acknowledge the legitimate limitation you’re under. If appropriate, you can offer to connect the reporter with an authorized spokesperson or refer them to an official statement, but you should still refrain from commenting on the topic itself.