New Policies for NASA

NASA  has reviewed and updated their public affairs policy hoping to open communication between employees, scientists and the public.

The review was trigger by a New York Times articles which states that former press aide George Deutsch muzzled top climatologist James Hansen during a televised agency-wide update. Deutsch has resigned and claims he was targeted because of his political ties as a Bush administration appointee.

Situations like this have force NASA to take action in clarifying roles and responsibilities of their scientists and engineers. It also states how information is to be handled regarding public affairs officials and appeals process to resolve concerns.

“It is important for our employees within NASA to understand that they can appeal a decision by their management,” Griffin said. “There is a path for everyone to appeal a decision that he or she believes is wrong, and there will be no retribution for appealing.”

Griffin also stated that scientist are free to communicate their scientific conclusions for research done but any personal opinions need to be stated as such in front of the media.

“WeÂ’re not going to hang people,” Griffin said about the expression of personal opinions. “But weÂ’d like people to realize the difference between what are the facts, and what are opinions.”

NASA  has reviewed and updated their public affairs policy hoping to open communication between employees, scientists and the public.

The review was trigger by a New York Times articles which states that former press aide George Deutsch muzzled top climatologist James Hansen during a televised agency-wide update. Deutsch has resigned and claims he was targeted because of his political ties as a Bush administration appointee.

Situations like this have force NASA to take action in clarifying roles and responsibilities of their scientists and engineers. It also states how information is to be handled regarding public affairs officials and appeals process to resolve concerns.

“It is important for our employees within NASA to understand that they can appeal a decision by their management,” Griffin said. “There is a path for everyone to appeal a decision that he or she believes is wrong, and there will be no retribution for appealing.”

Griffin also stated that scientist are free to communicate their scientific conclusions for research done but any personal opinions need to be stated as such in front of the media.

“WeÂ’re not going to hang people,” Griffin said about the expression of personal opinions. “But weÂ’d like people to realize the difference between what are the facts, and what are opinions.”