Policy for NASA Information Published Over the Internet
The Internet is a fundamental tool for NASA science, research and
education, as well as a ubiquitous media for global information
dissemination and access. NASA fully uses the Internet where feasible,
including as a mechanism for making NASA-acquired data resources broadly
available to the public.
When information about NASA activities, missions, organizations,
publications, etc. is posted on the Internet via NASA "servers" for
public access, using World Wide Web, Gopher, or other Internet
information service, there must be clear accountability for the contents
of the information displayed. Descriptions, images, etc. representing
the products of any NASA entity must be accompanied, to the best extent
possible, by an identification of the NASA official responsible for that
entity. A "NASA Center Home Page", for example, should identify the
Center Director or appropriate designate, such as that Center's Public
Affairs Office; displays of mission-acquired science data should
reference the Project Manager or designate, such as the mission's
data/operations manager or project scientist.
It is important that information made publicly available over the
Internet by NASA personnel be properly supported, maintained, and
validated by the cognizant NASA organization, to ensure integrity and
authenticity of that information. It is a responsibility of NASA
management at any level to ensure that NASA is appropriately represented
to the public and to the world on this Information Superhighway. This
accountability is independent of the creative flexibility available to
Web designers, and recognizes the rapidly changing technologies and
techniques used to implement these Internet information services,
including the evolving standards and interfaces for indexing,
displaying, and organizing multi-media data.
This policy applies to all NASA computers in the "nasa.gov" domain.
To implement this policy, the names of both the Web Curator and, where
applicable, the accountable NASA official/organization should appear in the
signature line at the bottom of any Web Page presenting NASA-sourced
information. For example:
Web Curator: x.xxxxx@host.center.nasa.gov
Responsible NASA organization/official: Dr. Y.Yyyyy, ZZZ
Project
Each name should contain enough information so the public can contact
the Web Curator or the accountable NASA Official. This may be done
directly via the identifying signature, via links to expanded details
(eg: full name, title, organization, postal mail address, telephones,
etc), or via other means.
It is further suggested that Internet-based publications by non-NASA
organizations display a disclaimer indicating that their use of NASA
material is not official.
Tony Villasenor
Program Manager, NASA Science Internet
(updated Nov. 1994)