Trial balloon

A trial balloon, or kite-flying (used in the UK and elsewhere), is information sent out to the media in order to observe the reaction of an audience.

[1] It is used by companies sending out press releases to judge customer reaction, and by politicians who deliberately leak information on a policy change.

For example, a company might announce a new computer program to be delivered in a year, and then read the press coverage for hints on whether or not the product will have market appeal.

[4] Because the proposed change in New York energy law was controversial, the Albany Times Union the next day published a front-page, above-the-fold story questioning the plan's leak as a "trial balloon" in the headline, which quickly garnered criticism and support.

[5] In American slang, the phrase "run it up the flagpole and see who salutes" (i.e., to raise an issue and see the reaction) is a form of trial balloon.