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Our Points
Monday, December 18. 2006

USGS Tightens Oversight of Communications

USGS

AP (via Live Science) reported last week that USGS scientists must jump through more hoops to publicly share their scientific findings.

New rules require screening of all facts and interpretations by agency scientists. The rules apply to all scientific papers and other public documents, even minor reports or prepared talks, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

The article suggests the goal is to reign in work that might go against administration policy. Barbara Wainman, the agency's director of communications tried to put the move in perspective.
This is not about stifling or suppressing our science, or politicizing our science in any way. I don't have approval authority. What it was designed to do is to improve our product flow.

Agency scientists are not pleased. I for one wonder if it will make it more difficult for USGS staffers to speak on topics of science or policy at events like NSGIC, where they are a great resource. And, I wonder if, as I find with other federal agencies with which I work in my consulting, it will delay any sort of reponse on queries, fact checking and reviews.

- Thanks to Don Cooke for the link.

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in USGS at 10:05 | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0) | Bookmark and Share

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The phrase that caught my eye in the article is in the bit where it quotes what the communications office should be told about, including findings that "contradict previous public understanding..."
#1 Mike Mahaffie (Link) on 2006-12-18 11:37 (Reply)
On the other hand, the public laughs at these agencies and any administration when they don't know what is going on internally. Often this can be laid at the feet of poor communications. It would be great if that could happen spontaneously, but it doesn't. Should the agency know what its scientists are publishing only after they publish?

The story itself really doesn't say anything about the "white house", implying its reach into the USGS directly to the Director of Communications.

On the other hand, it is only a small step from office of communications having a little warning for spin control to the next step of pre-suppression of science. Sounds like there should be a third-party watchdog on the communications department.
#2 Android on 2006-12-18 13:07 (Reply)
The official response from the USGS is at http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1588
#3 anonymous on 2006-12-18 13:36 (Reply)

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