Government 'muzzling' scientists, critics claim
BY MARGARET MUNRO, POSTMEDIA NEWS
Government media minders are being dispatched to an international polar conference in Montreal to monitor and record what Environment Canada scientists say to reporters.
The scientists will present the latest findings on everything from seabirds to Arctic ice and Environment Canada's media office plans to intervene when the media approaches researchers, Postmedia News has learned.
Media instructions, which are being described as a heavy-handed attempt to muzzle and intimidate the scientists, have been sent to the Environment Canada researchers attending the International Polar Year conference that started Sunday and runs all week.
"If you are approached by the media, ask them for their business card and tell them that you will get back to them with a time for interview," the scientists were told by email.
"Send a message to your media relations contact and they will organize the interview. They will most probably be with you during the interview to assist and record," says the email.
The memo, signed by Kristina Fickes, an Environment Canada senior communications adviser, goes on to say that recordings of interviews are to be forwarded to the department's media relations headquarters in Ottawa. Fickes signs off with a signature tag line that says: "Let the sun shine in : )"
Mark Johnson, an Environment Canada spokesman, says there is nothing unusual about the plan, which he describes as "standard practice."
Others see it as the latest evidence of the warped culture of information control inside the Harper government.
"Until now such a crude heavy-handed approach to muzzle scientists would have been unthinkable," says a senior scientist, who has worked for Environment Canada for decades. He asked not to be identified.
"The memo is clearly designed to intimidate government scientists from Environment Canada," he says. "It is enormously embarrassing to us in the international world of science."
Climatologist Andrew Weaver, at the University of Victoria, agrees.
"It's going from bad to worse," said Weaver, a critic of the way the government has been silencing scientists.
Having media minders sending recordings to Ottawa is reminiscent of the way that the Soviets used to send KGB agents to conferences with scientists during the Cold War, Weaver added.
© Copyright (c) The Province
"They will most probably be with you during the interview to assist and record."
ReplyDeleteAssist with what? The science? Language skills? Record for what purpose? Isn't that what the reporter doing.
Sounds like a police state.
Isn't the scientist's union doing something about this?
ReplyDelete1. "Isn't the *scientist's* union doing something about this?"
DeleteAs a union of one (1), it wouldn't be able to; collectively ....
2. Maintenant, on a des priorités plus éguees:
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
Date: 2012/4/24
Subject: PIPSC : A message from President Gary Corbett to all members about WFA
To: Ugis Bickis
Fellow Members,
Since the budget announcement on March 29, 2012, approximately 2500 PIPSC members have received notices that their position may be affected as a result of the Deficit Reduction Action Plan. The Institute is well prepared to assist each member affected under the Workforce Adjustment Agreement and in addition to staff in our Regional Offices, we have provided advanced WFA training to approximately 200 stewards across the country in various departments and regions in order to assist members and provide advice and guidance to members.
Please consult the listing of WFA Response Team Stewards for your department and region to find the appropriate contact for all your WFA concerns at the following website address:
.....
In Solidarity,
Gary Corbett
President
------------------------------------------------------------
Chers membres,
Depuis la présentation du budget du 29 mars 2012, quelque 2 500 membres de l’Institut ont reçu un avis selon lequel leur poste pourrait être touché à la suite du Plan d’action pour la réduction du déficit. L’Institut est fin prêt à aider chaque membre touché par l'entente sur le réaménagement des effectifs, car en plus de notre personnel des bureaux régionaux, nous avons donné une formation avancée sur le RE à près de 200 délégués syndicaux de divers ministères dans l'ensemble du pays. Ces délégués pourront aider les membres et leur donner des conseils et une orientation.
Veuillez consulter la liste des délégués syndicaux de l’équipe d’intervention en matière de RE de votre ministère et de votre région pour trouver la personne qui pourra répondre à toutes vos préoccupations en matière de RE. La liste se trouve à l’adresse suivante :
...
En toute solidarité,
Gary Corbett
Président