Does EPA Have a Gag on Talking to Reporters?

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Has the Environmental Protection Agency ordered its employees not to speak to reporters without press office clearance? A New York Times story June 8 suggested there is a gag, citing a source who insisted on anonymity because “all agency employees are forbidden to speak with reporters without clearance.” EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson said the same day, “I’m not aware of any gag order, so to speak,” and “it’s certainly no policy that I have.” Just in case, a whistleblower protection group, the Government Accountability Project, has written EPA warning that such a policy would is unconstitutional. (6/15/05)