U.S. Census Bureau Embargo Policy
The U.S. Census Bureau policy for embargoed news releases is 12:01 a.m. the day
of release. This information may not be released to the public by any
means (including print, broadcast, Internet, podcasts, blogs, or in any other
form) before 12:01 a.m. the day of release. Access to embargoed news
releases and data sets may be revoked for any person or organization failing to
adhere to this policy. Please contact the Public Information Office if you have
any questions regarding this policy: 301-763-3030; or by e-mail at pio@census.gov.
Who Has Access to PIO's Embargo News Release Site
- The Census Bureau maintains an embargo site on the Internet for
the posting of news releases and data sets prior to public release.
Because of the size of our data sets and their complexity, we have found
that providing members of the media early access to our data allows
them adequate time to write stories that more accurately reflect the
underlying data.
- Reporters, columnists and other journalists desiring access to the embargo
site should complete the news release subscription form at: <http://www.census.gov/pubinfo/www/subscriptions.html>.
Media access to the embargo site is determined by the Chief of the Public
Information Office. Generally it is limited to bona fide correspondents of
repute in their profession, giving their chief attention to the gathering
and reporting of news.
- Applicants must be employed by periodicals or other news outlets
that regularly publish or broadcast a substantial volume of news
material of either general, economic, industrial, technical, or cultural character.
What Happens When an Embargo Break Occurs?
- The Census Bureau's Public Information Office detects embargo violations through its
routine search of newspapers, wire services and Internet sites, or is
contacted by a competing news organization.
- The offending reporter and/or editor/news director is contacted by telephone to confirm
that the embargo has been broken and to gather background
information.
- At a minimum, a warning will be given to the media outlet involved. If the investigation
warrants action, the offending news agency and reporter may be
suspended from receiving advance notification of Census Bureau
news releases and reports and may be denied access to the media's embargoed news system.
Why We Have Embargo:
- The Census Bureau's policy is to provide fair and equitable access to news releases,
reports and data about America's people and the economy.
- Embargo release times are established to allow Census Bureau analysts, field offices and
spokespersons opportunity to prepare background information and
materials necessary to brief media.
- Embargo release times are also established to give advance notice to Executive
Agencies, Members of Congress, state and local government officials,
and affiliated State Data Centers on the upcoming release of reports
and data sets.
- Embargo dates and times are not arbitrary: They are generally established after
considering needs of the media and in a few cases there are legal
requirements surrounding the release of reports.
Public Information Office
301-763-3030
