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CSIRO told to clear media releases via PM
December 21, 2007

Government bodies like the CSIRO have been told to clear their media
releases through Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's office.

Industry Department head Mark Paterson has issued a directive for the
agencies to have significant media releases checked by the Prime Minister's
office.

Mr Paterson says it is not about controlling the message, it is about
consistency.

"It was something that we were asked for from those agencies so that they
were certain as to how to deal with media releases," he said.

"The essence of the message was that the Government wanted to ensure a
degree of consistency in message on key messages and therefore wanted
to clear key messages through the Prime Minister's office."

Mr Paterson says it is not unusual. "I at no stage, nor was the guidance 
that
was given, was the word vetting used nor was the concept of vetting used," 
he said.

"This is not about constraining academic observation or comment in an
independent area, this is not about independent commentary from scientists,
this is about institutional media releases."


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