October 27, 2009 To the FDA Task Force on Transparency: The Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) joins other journalism organizations in urging the Food and Drug Administration to end practices that restrict the flow of information to the public. The free flow of information is essential to democracy. But in matters of health, even more is at stake: the ability of citizens to live healthful and productive lives. Specifically, we object to the de facto requirement that journalists and FDA employees not conduct interviews unless they notify or obtain permission from officials such as press officers, lawyers, or politically appointed administrators. And we object to public information officers listening to interviews. Background on SEJ. The Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) is an international organization of more than 1,500 working journalists, educators and students dedicated to advancing public understanding of environmental issues by improving the quality and visibility of environmental affairs reporting. Members work in a variety of mediums including television, radio and print. FDA matters are within the scope of SEJ members' reporting. SEJ envisions an informed society through excellence in environmental journalism. SEJ is distinctly not an environmental advocacy group. SEJ takes no positions on environmental topics - but does do so on right-to-know and freedom-of-information issues. Members of SEJ regularly talk to federal agency personnel as part of their news reporting. Since 2002, SEJ has maintained a First Amendment Task Force to advocate for the public's right to know about environmental concerns. Concerns in Detail. Uninhibited discussion of scientific findings, facts, and conclusions is a key to good science -- and to the formation of sound, science-based public policy and regulatory decisions. Science quickly loses its credibility when it is moderated by political and policy appointees, and that, in our experience, has been standard procedure at FDA in recent years. These practices hinder reporters' ability to learn the truth by inhibiting and sometimes barring employees from providing essential information. Public information officers can play an important role in answering questions and facilitating interviews. But when they forbid, delay or monitor contact between reporters and employees, they interfere with the public's right to know and can delay access to timely information necessary to protect and advance public health. Usually the most accurate information comes from federal employees closest to the facts, not a go-between. These practices are a disservice to Americans.   Federal scientists have not always been restricted in speaking about their findings. Nor is press-office mediation of reporter-scientist contact a universal practice among today's federal agencies. In keeping with President Obama's promise to make government more transparent and accountable, we hope FDA will end these harmful practices and restore the free flow of information.   We hope that the Task Force on Transparency will include this letter in the record of its deliberations. Ours is a position shared by many other journalism groups, including the Association of Health Care Journalists, the Society of Professional Journalists, the American Society of News Editors, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and the Radio Television Digital News Association. We are happy to discuss this letter further with you.  To follow up, please contact Joseph Davis at (301) 656-2261 or jdavis2@starpower.net. We look forward to hearing from you soon.     Sincerely,   Christy George, SEJ President (Oregon Public Broadcasting) Ken Ward Jr., SEJ First Amendment Task Force Chair (Charleston Gazette)