Rajendra K. Pachauri, the chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change sent a letter clarifying the panel’s media policy to the 831 lead authors and review editors of its next set of assessments. He had tried to do this in a letter sent last week, but the first attempt  created a stir by suggesting that the authors “keep a distance” from reporters. Some of the lead authors, environmental communicators and journalists (me included) complained that while the letter contained useful advice, the admonition to avoid the press provided precisely the wrong signal after nearly a year of turmoil, some related to a lack of openness. The letter also alludes to  a three-page primer on interacting with reporters that was distributed a week ago to the panel authors. Here’s an excerpt and link to Pachauri’s letter as a pdf file: "These documents sent contradicting messages on a vitally important subject — how we communicate to the public. In my letter, I cautioned you to “keep a distance from the media” if asked about your work for the I.P.C.C. This was a poor choice of words on my part and not reflective of I.P.C.C. policy. My only intent was to advise new authors not to speak “on behalf of the I.P.C.C.” because we are an inter-governmental body consisting of 194 states. I want to reassure everyone the I.P.C.C. is a transparent organization. At a time when the work of climate scientists is undergoing intense scrutiny, it is essential that we promote clear and open communication with the media and the public."

See the New York Times story

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