This NPR Indicator podcast episode examines the trustworthiness of official US economic statistics, particularly the monthly jobs report, amid concerns about data access, manipulation, and resource constraints. The hosts discuss recent events like the disbanding of expert advisory committees and instances of early data release to select parties. Former BLS Commissioner Erika Groschen highlights safeguards like secure data handling and neutral reporting but expresses concerns about potential manipulation through altered release schedules or calculation methods, and the impact of budget cuts on data quality. The episode underscores the importance of these statistics for economic policy and market stability, emphasizing the need for transparency and resource allocation to maintain public trust. The declining response rates to BLS surveys are cited as a threat to data quality.
