In keeping with our commitment to transparency and free exchange of information, NASW has joined with the Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ), the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and others in urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to rescind a policy that currently requires notification and official approval before FDA officials are allowed to speak with journalists.
The letter, addressed to the FDA Task Force on Transparency, also objects to the practice of routinely placing public information officers in the position of having to monitor these interviews. The signatories ask that the FDA, given its crucial role guarding public health and safety, take the lead among federal agencies in returning to previously held policies which allowed for free and unfettered public access to appropriate government information and expert opinion.
Tom Paulson, Glennda Chui NASW information access committee
To the FDA Task Force on Transparency:The organizations below, representing thousands of journalists, strongly urge the Food and Drug Administration to endpractices that restrict the flow of information to the public. The free flow of information is essential to democracy. But in matters of health, even more is at stake: the ability of citizens to live healthful and productive lives.
We object to the requirement that journalists and FDA employees notify or obtain permission from an official to conduct an interview. And we object to public information officers listening to interviews. These relatively new practices hinder reporters' ability to learn the truth by inhibiting and sometimes barring employees from providing essential information.
Nearly all prior administrations allowed open communication between agency employees and the media. The FDA should restore this policy.
Public information officers can play an important role in answering questions and facilitating interviews. But when they forbid, delay or monitor contact between reporters and employees, they interfere with the public's right to know and can delay access to timely information necessary to protect and advance public health. Usually the most accurate information comes from federal employees closest to the facts, not a go-between. These practices are a disservice to Americans.
In keeping with President Obama's promise to make government more transparent and accountable, we hope FDA will end these harmful practices and restore the free flow of information.
We are happy to discuss this letter further with you. To follow up, please contact Kathryn Foxhall at (301) 779-8239 and kfoxhall@verizon.net. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely, Association of Health Care Journalists Society of Professional Journalists National Association of Science Writers
