semiofficial

Semiofficial, also written semi-official, is an adjective used to describe something that has partial official status or backing but is not fully official or authoritative. The term signals a halfway position between official government or organizational authority and nonofficial or private status. The exact weight of the authority attributed to a semiofficial source can vary; some semiofficial actors have formal links to a government or corporation, while others operate with some independence or a limited mandate.

In diplomacy and public administration, semiofficial designations are used for statements, positions, or representatives that reflect some official alignment without carrying full governmental endorsement or binding authority. Examples include semiofficial spokespeople, gap-filling agencies, or state-affiliated media outlets that are not formal organs of the government. In the corporate world, a company may use semiofficial communications through a communications department or a subsidiary that speaks on behalf of the parent organization with oversight but not plenary authority.

The term is often used carefully in journalism to describe sources that are credible and connected to an official body but not official or fully sanctioned. Because its meaning can differ by language and context, semiofficial should be used with attention to the source’s actual authority and the specific jurisdiction.

See also: quasi-official, unofficial, official communications.