Press Access Issues in Agency Science Policies Still Unclear, Imperfect

Environmental journalists are still waiting to see whether EPA revises the draft Scientific Integrity Policy in which it claims the right to keep scientists from talking to reporters without press office permission — and have Saddam-style "minders" sit in on interviews.

EPA is one of the dwindling number of agencies who have not yet finalized the policies requested by the White House last year.

• "NOAA Scientific Integrity Policy," Climate Science Watch, by Rick Piltz. "Part 1: Scientists’ Communication Freedom Still Limited By Commerce Dept Restrictions," December 26, 2011;  "Part 2: Stronger Whistleblower Protections Still Needed," December 27, 2011.
• "What To Do When The White House Sets Science Aside?" Climate Science Watch, January 8, 2012, by Rick Piltz.
• Previous Story: WatchDog of October 5, 2011.