Adopted by GSA Council in 2017; revised April 2022
GSA Preamble and Endorsement of AMS Position Statement
GSA supports the principles outlined in the American Meteorological Society’s Freedom of Scientific Expression
statement including, and in particular, the role of scientists in presenting their results and
interpretations. GSA also strongly believes that science and society benefit greatly from careful and
ample technical peer review of scientific findings, and subsequent communication of scientific results
must be permitted freely and without concern by the scientist for censorship, intimidation, or political
interference.
Position Statements adopted by GSA Council may be used freely in their entirety
by members in public
policy discussions on the scientific issues to which they pertain.
Learn more about GSA
Freedom of Scientific Expression
A Statement of the American Meteorological Society
(Readopted by AMS Council on 22 January 2017)
Advances in science and the benefits of science to policy, technological progress, and society as a whole depend
upon the free exchange of scientific data and information as well as on open debate. The ability of
scientists to present their findings to the scientific community, policy makers, the media, and the public
without censorship, intimidation, or political interference is imperative. With the specific limited
exception of proprietary information or constraints arising from national security, scientists must be permitted
unfettered communication of scientific results. In return, it is incumbent upon scientists to communicate
their findings in ways that portray their results and the results of others, objectively, professionally, and
without sensationalizing or politicizing the associated impacts.
These principles matter most — and at the same time are most vulnerable to violation — precisely when science has
its greatest bearing on society. Earth sciences and their applications have growing implications for
public health and safety, economic development, protection of the environment and ecosystems, and national
security. Thus, scientists, policy makers, and their supporting institutions share a special
responsibility at this time for guarding and promoting the freedom of responsible scientific expression.
[This statement is considered in force until January 2022 unless superseded by a new statement issued by the
AMS Council before this date.]
See statement on AMS website