Political Skullduggery

After being rightfully criticized for various intrusions on the free speech of their scientists, NASA is taking steps to permit more unfettered discussion of controversial topics.

NASA Administrator Michael D. Griffin unveiled new rules yesterday that govern the release of agency information to news media and the public, his most detailed response yet to embarrassing allegations that NASA's public affairs office had sought to suppress the release of scientific information not consistent with the views of the Bush administration.

The new eight-page policy, written by an internal team of scientists, lawyers, public affairs specialists and managers, states that NASA scientists are free to talk to members of the media about their scientific findings and even express personal interpretations of those findings -- the heart of the controversy that has engulfed the agency since January.

It also makes clear that scientists are not required to have a public affairs officer with them when they speak with members of the media, though Griffin emphasized yesterday in comments broadcast to NASA employees that he believes such behavior is unwise.

"If you're not a media professional, then to go into an interview without a media professional is courting trouble," he said. "But you can do as you like."

Griffin had promised the revamped policy in February, after NASA employees complained publicly that information had been manipulated in ways that suited the Bush administration.

The Bush administration's modus operandi is to manipulate information to better suit their various agendas. The NASA scientists are on a much stronger footing than the hapless bureaucrats at other agencies who cant come forward to complain because of the classified nature of the information being "influenced" by the administration.