&gt;&gt; Even in America there are restrictions about what federal employees may say to the media.<p>&gt; Not outside of the military except in the case of classified documents or the identities of covert agents<p>I&#x27;m pretty sure that&#x27;s wrong. I clearly remember the Bush administration restricting government scientists (and other employees) from talking to the media, requiring all communications to be approved by political appointees in their departments.<p>The scientists do have freedom of speech like other Americans, if that&#x27;s what you mean, but that freedom doesn&#x27;t protect your job; you can be fired for what you say, just not imprisoned or forced not to say it. It also doesn&#x27;t protect you if you disclose your employers secrets that are protected by NDAs and similar agreements. For example (and speaking very generally), if a former Apple employee revealed details of some secret Apple tech protected by NDA, I&#x27;m almost certain the employee could be sued for damages.