The Canadian government has come under fire for allegedly “muzzling” scientists in its federal agencies.
At this year’s meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Canadian government came under fire for allegedly “muzzling” scientists in its federal agencies. The accusation refers to media protocols imposed by the current government which discourage federal scientists from communicating freely with the press, and ultimately the public, about their research. Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister, has stood by these protocols, arguing that such measures are necessary to ensure that “journalists [do not] try to lead scientists away from science and into policy matters,” which he believes should be the domain of ministers alone. However, journalists and scientists alike are concerned that these new protocols are being used to bury scientific findings that are not in line with the government’s political priorities. Their concern is well founded. This lack of openness undermines the fundamental purpose of government research agencies: to produce science that objectively informs policy in areas of public interest.
