In this issue: Taking readers on a journey; award winner focuses on eco damage being done now; investigative reporting can produce a ‘higher obligation’; effects of climate change on journalism; report probes multiple sources of global mercury pollution; studying smaller newspapers; basing coverage on scientific evidence; farm bill’s future environmental impacts; book reviews; and more.
The speed and ease of this Canadian revolution by incoming Prime Minister Justin Trudeau belies the "common wisdom" among many jaded reporters and PR professionals that muzzling of U.S. government scientists and officials is somehow inevitable and woven into the culture of government.
"The muzzles are coming off for [Canadian] federal scientists. For years, scientists who worked for the federal government were silenced by strict rules that made them seek departmental approval before speaking to the press. On Friday, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains said that scientists are free to speak to the media about their work."
"“There's a message: If you want to prosper, don't make waves.”"
"U.S. EPA's science advisers are criticizing the agency's June announcement dismissing the dangers to drinking water from hydraulic fracturing."
"Four members of the House want the Securities and Exchange Commission to look into whether the oil giant violated the law."
"Not quite, scientists say. But new study results show the fallibility of current measuring tools and challenges current theories about the causes of sea level rise."
"SYDNEY, Australia - Russia has again thwarted attempts to create the world’s largest ocean sanctuary in Antarctica, the final country opposing the protection of a vast swathe of rich waters from fishing, after a revised international plan won support from China."
"A six-month investigation finds that the revolving door between government and private industry has led the EPA to rely on potentially skewed research."
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