Smithsonian Under Fire for Allegedly Censoring Climate Change Exhibit

On Wednesday the American Civil Liberties Union denounced the Smithsonian Institute for allegedly censoring an arctic climate change exhibit. The ACLU claims that the Institute deliberately watered down a report scientist made about climate change to avoid stirring drama in congress.

The ACLU has commended the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global warming for investigating the situation.

According to the ACLU, Caroline Fredrickson, Director, ACLU Washington Legislative Office had this to say regarding the matter: The Smithsonian Institution must fight any efforts to edit information to placate politicians. The scholars of the Smithsonian should not be censored, and they should not self-censor to please the political leaders of the day. The Institution was founded 'for the increase and diffusion of knowledge' and should not take that mission lightly. The Smithsonian should not have to be afraid of offending those who hold the purse strings. And this White House should stop trying to bend the rules of science to fit its ideology."

The institute has denied the allegations claiming that the changes were not made for political reasons. According to the Associated Press, former Smithsonian Director Cristian Samper wrote this response to the allegations via email: "Our role as a museum is to present the facts but not advocate a particular point of view."

However, according to the Associated Press, former contractors for the Smithsonian who worked on the project felt differently. John Calder, a leading scientist that consulted on the project had this to say: "I remember them telling me there was an attempt to make sure there was nothing in there that would be upsetting to any politicians. They're not stupid. They don't want to upset the people who pay them."

According to the Smithsonian, Arctic: A Friend Acting Strangely exhibit includes photographs, video and satellite footage, and objects to show the changes that have occurred in the arctic presumably due to climate change.