Amid Fear of Retaliation, N.S.F. Workers Sign Letter of Dissent
Amid Fear of Retaliation, N.S.F. Workers Sign Letter of Dissent
In a public letter, employees of the National Science Foundation accused the administration of politicizing the agency and impeding scientific innovation.
Read the full article on NY Times Politics
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article appears mostly accurate based on available sources, with the core claim of NSF employees signing a letter of dissent supported. There's a moderate bias due to the framing of the situation as a negative consequence of the administration's actions, though the available sources also suggest potential issues. Some details, like the exact content of the letter, remain unverified within the provided sources.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: Employees of the National Science Foundation accused the administration of politicizing the agency and impeding scientific innovation in a public letter.
- Verification Source #5: Indicates that NSF is dropping their own letter of dissent on Monday, July 14th.
- Assessment: Supported. Source 5 confirms the existence of a letter of dissent from NSF employees.
- Claim: The employees fear retaliation for signing the letter.
- Verification Source #2: NIH staff feared losing their jobs or being doxed for signing a similar letter.
- Verification Source #3: EPA employees feared retaliation for signing a letter.
- Assessment: Supported. While not directly confirming fear of retaliation within the NSF specifically, sources 2 and 3 highlight similar fears among employees at other agencies who signed dissent letters.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Source 5: NSF is dropping their own letter of dissent on Monday, July 14th!
- Source 2: NIH staff break ranks in open letter to Director Jay Bhattacharya. While all signed with their names, three gave interviews only on the condition of anonymity because they fear losing their jobs or being doxed.