The Trump Administration, through the Office of Personnel Management, recently proposed a new rule requiring federal employees to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), whicg could restrict the flow of information regarding science, health, and environmental research and policy.
On January 30, 2026, NASW joined the National Association of Black Journalists and more than 40 other journalism organizations in calling out the the arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort by federal agents and "the government’s escalating effort and actions to criminalize and threaten press freedom under the guise of law enforcement."
On January 16, 2026, NASW joined the Society of Professional Journalists and 17+ organizations in calling on the Deparment of Justice and "all public officials to remember a fundamental truth: When journalists are silenced, all Americans pay the price."
As we gathered online and in person for ScienceWriters2025, we were once again reminded of the immense power and joy that comes from community. At the same time, we want to acknowledge the immense challenges facing our industry and our communities.
On April 7, 2025, NASW joined the Student Press Law Center and other free speech and journalism organizations in a letter condemning the detention of Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk, reportedly based on opinions expressed in a student newspaper op-ed.
NASW was founded more than 90 years ago with a mission to “fight for the free flow of science news.” That mission is imperative, yet threatened by recent challenges to the First Amendment and the freedom of the press.
On February 10, 2025, leaders of five journalism organizations, including the National Association of Science Writers and representing more than 7,000 members in the United States and abroad, sent the following letter to the heads of eight U.S. federal agencies that have recently removed public datasets and databases funded by Americans’ tax dollars.
On February 5, 2025, NASW co-signed a letter to U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Edward R. Martin, Jr. and congressional leaders. Martin had made public statements threatening to prosecute journalists reporting factual information surrounding the Department of Government Efficiency.
The National Association of Science Writers addresses the current external communications freeze for agencies within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
