Fact Check: An internal memo from the U.S. Department of Interior states that all public-facing content will be reviewed for inappropriate disparagement of Americans and for content that emphasizes matters unrelated to the beauty of natural features.

Fact Check: Internal Memo from the U.S. Department of Interior on Content Review

What We Know

The claim states that an internal memo from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) mandates that all public-facing content will be reviewed for inappropriate disparagement of Americans and for content that emphasizes matters unrelated to the beauty of natural features. However, as of now, there is no publicly available document or memo that explicitly supports this claim.

The DOI's Electronic Library of the Interior Policies contains various memos and orders, but none specifically mention a directive regarding the review of public-facing content for disparagement or unrelated matters. The most recent documents available do not indicate any such policy (source-1).

The Office of Inspector General for the DOI conducts audits and evaluations, but their reports do not reference any internal memos regarding content review policies that align with the claim (source-2).

Analysis

The assertion that the DOI has implemented a review process for public-facing content is significant and would require substantial evidence to validate. The lack of specific documentation or credible sources supporting this claim raises questions about its authenticity.

1. Source Reliability: The DOI's official channels, including the Electronic Library of the Interior Policies and the Office of Inspector General, are credible sources for information regarding departmental policies. However, they do not provide any evidence to support the claim about content review directives. The absence of such documentation suggests that the claim may be unfounded.

2. Potential Bias: Claims regarding government policies can often be influenced by political or social biases. Without direct evidence from reliable sources, it is essential to approach such claims with skepticism. The DOI has a responsibility to maintain transparency and accountability, and any significant policy changes would likely be documented in their official communications.

3. Contextual Considerations: The DOI's mission includes the management of natural resources and public lands, which may involve the promotion of natural beauty. However, the assertion that they would censor content disparaging to Americans or unrelated to natural beauty seems to imply a level of censorship that would typically be controversial and subject to public scrutiny.

Conclusion

Needs Research. The claim regarding an internal memo from the U.S. Department of the Interior that mandates the review of public-facing content for disparagement of Americans and unrelated matters lacks supporting evidence from credible sources. Given the importance of transparency in government communications, further investigation is warranted to determine the validity of this claim.

Sources

1. Electronic Library of the Interior Policies - U.S. Department of the Interior
2. Home | Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of the Interior
3. PDF Department of the Interior Memo regarding July 11, 2018 Ethics Discussion with Secretary Ryan Zinke
4. Department of the Interior Policy | U.S. Department of the Interior
5. National Strategy to End the Use of Paper Straws
6. Integrity is Our Mission. | U.S. Department of the Interior
7. PDF INSPECTOR GENERAL'S STATEMENT - Oversight.gov
8. PDF 2022 Department of the Interior Plain Writing Act Compliance Report