Why are posts sometimes protected by passwords?
When research studies appear in scientific journals, the journal editors typically provide advance copies of the papers to journalists “under embargo” so the journalists can develop their stories in an orderly manner, interviewing appropriate subject experts to present an accurate picture of the research findings. In exchange for this advance information, reporters agree not to publish or broadcast their stories until the “embargo time.” If they “break” the embargo by publishing too early, many journals will revoke the journalists’ early notification privileges.
If you see a post that begins with the word “Protected:” and requires a password, that means the information relates to a story that is under embargo. Journalists may request to be on the list to receive notice of these embargoed resources. Credentialed journalists will receive e-mail messages that include the password for the particular post.
When the embargo time passes, the password protection for the post is removed, and anyone may have access to these on-line resources.
