`` Please do not respond to questions or make any statements , '' the June 16 e-mail said , advising staff to direct questioners to senior staff members cleared to answer questions from outside the agency . The e - mail told employees not to answer questions from its own inspector 's office . EPA also told not to talk to reporters or Government Accountability Office . Watchdog group calls e - mail a ` ` gag order '' ; EPA official says it 's not about privacy . Tuesday news conference to address whether EPA avoided giving public information .
The e - mail told employees not to answer questions from its own inspector 's office . EPA also told not to talk to reporters or Government Accountability Office . Watchdog group calls e - mail a ` ` gag order '' ; EPA official says it 's not about privacy . Tuesday news conference to address whether EPA avoided giving public information .