June 16, 2026
Dear NASW members:
The Trump Administration, through the Office of Personnel Management, recently proposed a new rule requiring federal employees to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). While NDAs are often used for classified or sensitive information, the new rule applies broadly to existing and new employees. It is framed as a measure to prevent leaks to the media. However, these NDAs could restrict the flow of information regarding science, health, and environmental research and policy by restricting access to taxpayer funded data and personnel, including scientists.
Journalists need to be able to access data and those involved in research and policy to verify claims, assist the public in understanding the implications of research and policy, and hold the government accountable for its use of taxpayer-funded research. The public can submit comments before the proposal becomes finalized. Please let your voice be heard by submitting a comment by June 26. Then share widely on social media, asking your friends, family, and colleagues to also submit their comments.
Below are instructions on how to submit a comment, as well as sample comments and social media posts. Feel free to copy and paste these sample comments directly. They are drafted to reflect NASW’s mission and the collective voice of NASW members. Or, add a sentence or two to personalize it. Any member of the public can comment. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen, living in the U.S., or a registered voter. Your comments must be submitted before the deadline on Friday, June 26, 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
If information access and government transparency has you fired up, then please consider joining the NASW Information Access Committee. We need you to help us support science writers everywhere and open access to government funded research.
Sincerely,
Teresa Carey
Chair, NASW Information Access Committee
How to submit a comment:
Visit this link to submit a comment. Or go to Regulations.gov and paste this into the search field: OPM-2026-0100-0004. Then, click on the result labeled "Confidential Government Information Nondisclosure Agreement.” You’ll see the blue “Comment” button. Once you’re done, don’t forget to hit "Submit." You can submit more than one comment but they must be submitted before the deadline on June 26, 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
Sample comments:
Comment 1:
I stand with the National Association of Science Writers (NASW) and our collective belief that the public has a right to know what's happening with government-funded science. Science thrives on transparency, peer review, and the freedom to question data. This broad NDA could act as a roadblock to that flow of information impacting scientific progress and weakening the foundation of an informed democracy. Please reject this administrative rule.
Comment 2:
I stand with the NASW in opposing the proposed federal NDAs. This administrative rule creates barriers to information access and threatens the independence of federal scientists. Our democracy and science journalism depend on transparency; this proposal directly contradicts that. Please reject this rule and protect the public's right to accurate, timely information on science and health topics.
Sample social media posts:
Fewer than 300 characters:
IMPORTANT: The OPM is proposing new NDAs for federal workers that could silence scientists and hide data. This threatens science journalism & public transparency. Keep scientific data accessible. Comment by June 26. https://www.regulations.gov/search?filter=OPM-2026-0100-0004
More than 300 characters:
Federal scientists need to be able to share data, raise safety concerns, and report ethical concerns freely for scientific progress. Broad NDAs stop this dialogue. As a science writer, I rely on this transparency. The public deserves to be informed. Submit your comment by June 26 at https://www.regulations.gov/search?filter=OPM-2026-0100-0004
The proposed expansion of NDAs for federal workers is a direct threat to scientific integrity and the free flow of information. As a member of @ScienceWriters, I believe that government must operate with transparency. Please contribute your voice by the June 26 deadline. https://www.regulations.gov/search?filter=OPM-2026-0100-0004
