Jodi -- Thank you for that very nicely done summary.
You make me wonder where do most people (the "average Joe on the street") get environmental information? I immediately say to myself: the Press! Mass Media!
Now, we have heard loudly & clearly from one member of the Press about how hard it is to get good, timely, etc. data on pesticides form the EPA, and I don't doubt her concerns are real, but on the other hand, I know we have all had experiences where we felt the Press has reported something inaccurately or with a bias or simply given an unfair presentation of whatever the topic --
So: I suggest the EPA, libraries and whatever other institutions are stakeholders in getting quality information to the "average Joe" make reasonable efforts to keep the Press accurately informed. The effective and frequent use of press releases definitely made a tremendous impact on the success of the "Resources for Economic Viability in Sustainable Agriculture" project. I took alot of money in paper, printing, writing, designing flyers, and postage -- but it was planned, written into the budget and was successful.
Instead of feeling manipulated by the media (does this go back to the earlier discussion about fear of getting embroiled in controversy???), information resource specialists need to inform the media, and thereby, meet "Joe" at the place where he gets his info!
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