While the DC SPJ chapter works out what kind of programming we can do and what services we can provide our members during the #COVID19 shutdowns, we thought people might like to some past programs.
Five years ago today — April 9, 2015 — the DC SPJ chapter ran a program with the Center for Science and Democracy discussing a survey that showed how government offices were blocking access to scientists.
Participating in the panel were:
- SPJ Freedom of Information Committee members Carolyn S. Carlson and Kathryn Foxhall
- Michael Halpern, program manager of the Center for Science and Democracy
- Kate Sheppard, senior reporter and environment and energy editor at the Huffington Post.
This issue, discussed in 2015, is still big. Note these headlines from late last year and this year:
- SABEW advocates for access to government experts, records – Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing (November 6, 2019)
- Federal health agencies block journalists’ access to COVID-19 experts & information – HealthNewsReview.org (March 26, 2020)
- NASW issues statement on access to government experts during the coronavirus disease outbreak – National Association of Science Writers (March 2, 2020)
- Government Transparency Is More Critical Now Than Ever, Experts Say – Government Accountability Project (March 20, 2020
- SPJ DC Applauds Report That Finds Agency Restraints on Contact With Reporters ‘Unenforceable Constitutionally’ – DC SPJ (November 7, 2019)