Crossing the Line: Analyzing EPA News Releases Under Trump and Ensuring Trust in Federal Information in the Future examines the politicization of EPA’s news releases under the Trump administration and recommends guidelines for protection of the integrity of information coming from the EPA’s press office.
Crossing the Line provides a comprehensive analysis of EPA news releases during the Trump administration and identifies four themes of overt politicization:
- Using testimonials from politicians to promote a deregulatory agenda
- Using adversarial, hostile language
- Promoting spin, particularly through the selective inclusion of facts and aggrandizement of President Trump
- Posting articles already published in the press
Based on their analysis, EDGI’s Website Monitoring Team recommends six guidelines to help protect the integrity of public information disseminated by federal agencies:
- Convey professionalism through tone and subject matter
- Establish and maintain higher standards for newsworthiness
- Publish accurate information
- Archive and ensure accessibility
- Do not promote private news interests
- Do not serve as vehicles for campaigning
Author(s): Alejandro Paz, Gretchen Gehrke, Marcy Beck, R. Michelle Warrix, Aaron Lemelin, EDGI
Publication Date: December 21, 2021
Preferred Citation: "Crossing the Line: EPA News Releases Under Trump and Ensuring Trust in Federal Information in the Future," (Environmental Data & Governance Initiative, December 20, 2021)