Shut Up and Heat

A new media policy restricting U.S. government scientists from speaking to the media is drawing fire from the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Government Accountability Project. The policy limits scientists to speaking only about their official duties, requires them to obtain permission before speaking about "fundamental research," and says they have to give 14 days advance notice to their managers and submit written materials for departmental review before offering unofficial comments to the press. UCS and GAP say the rules will chill scientists' speech, in particular about the issue of global warming. "We are very concerned that the message of control will drown out the message of freedom," they wrote in a letter to Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez.