A coalition of journalism organizations are pushing Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to reverse guidance restricting national park employees from divulging information about deaths and serious injuries on public lands.
In a Wednesday letter, the Society of Professional Journalists and 11 other groups said the policy “stifles the free flow of information” and can leave the public in the dark about dangerous conditions in parks.
“Depriving the public of information about deaths in national parks does not prevent deaths from happening or make them disappear,” the groups wrote, noting two recent bison attacks in Yellowstone National Park that have received media attention but no news releases from the park service. “In fact, it may put future park visitors at risk by withholding pertinent information about park conditions, safety and environmental risks.”
The letter was signed by SPJ President Chris Vaccaro and Anne Marie Tamburro, the organization’s counsel for press freedom. Other groups that signed the letter include the American Society of Journalists and Authors, Freedom of the Press Foundation and Reporters Without Borders.
