NOAA Communications Rule Likely to Stifle Media Interviews

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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has rescinded its communications policy and replaced it with one issued by the parent Department of Commerce. The result, the Society of Environmental Journalists’ Watchdog Report says, is that it can be used to keep scientists who aren’t on message away from the media. The rules require NOAA employees to get advance “approval” to talk with reporters on “non-official communications of interest.” Even when approval is granted, the process can take as much as two weeks. (5/17/07)