“Federal datasets are one of the pillars of democracy. They underpin everything from health research and economic forecasting to climate science, disaster response, and watchdog journalism. Yet today, these essential resources face unprecedented threats: data removals, political interference, staff and contract cuts, and the quiet erosion of statistical capacity. This panel brings together a powerhouse group of experts: a former federal statistical agency commissioner with inside knowledge of how government data is created and protected; a leading demographer recognized internationally for tracking disaster recovery and climate impacts; and a senior national data leader who has driven innovation in public-interest data across federal, local, and nonprofit sectors. Together, they will unpack the high stakes of the current moment. Attendees will learn:  – Why federal data matters for every beat, from health to the economy. – How political manipulation and removals of data are reshaping public understanding and news coverage. – Which protective measures keep some datasets resilient, and why others disappear without warning. – Why private-sector substitutes can’t fill the gap left by weakened federal systems. – Concrete strategies and resources journalists can use now to verify, preserve, and report on vulnerable datasets. Panelists: Denice Ross served as the U.S. Chief Data Scientist in the Biden administration, where she led the charge to use disaggregated data to drive better outcomes for all Americans. Allison Plyer is Chief Demographer at The Data Center in New Orleans, and co-chair of the Census Quality Reinforcement task force. Erica Groshen is Senior Economics Advisor at the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations and Research Fellow at the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. Moderator: Naseem Miller is the senior editor for health at The Journalist’s Resource.”