How the Public Interprets 'No Comment'

For generations, "no comment" has been a common response when organizations, businesses, public officials, and others choose not to answer media questions. New research suggests the phrase may carry more meaning with the public than many realize.

A recent survey from the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI) at the University of Missouri examined how audiences react when they see "no comment" in news coverage. Researchers found that many readers draw conclusions from the phrase itself, often viewing it as a sign that information is being withheld or that an organization is unwilling to engage.

According to the survey, 39% of respondents said seeing "no comment" in a news story made them think a person or organization was hiding something, while 20% reported that it lowered their trust in the story.

What It Means for Local Government

The findings may be particularly interesting for city officials and city staff, who routinely balance the public's desire for information with legal, personnel, privacy, and other considerations.

Cities often find themselves responding to questions about issues that are still developing, under investigation, or subject to legal restrictions. In those situations, officials may have limited information available or may be unable to discuss certain details publicly.

The RJI survey does not suggest that every question can or should be answered. Instead, it highlights how members of the public may interpret a lack of response and how those perceptions can influence trust. For local governments, where transparency and public trust are ongoing priorities, the findings offer an interesting look at how residents perceive communication practices and how those perceptions can shape understanding of local issues.

Food for Thought

Whether communicating through traditional media, social media, city websites, or public meetings, city leaders are constantly navigating the challenge of keeping residents informed while operating within legal and practical constraints.

The Reynolds Journalism Institute study serves as a reminder that people often interpret not only the information they receive, but also the information they do not receive. Understanding those perceptions can help city officials better understand how their communications may be viewed by the communities they serve.

Source: Fitzgerald, Austin (2026, May 12). Journalism must retire ‘no comment’ phrase, new survey from Reynolds Journalism Institute reveals. Reynolds Journalism Institute. Retrieved from: https://rjionline.org/news/journalism-must-retire-no-comment-phrase-new-survey-from-reynolds-journalism-institute-reveals/