Laws & Regulations

New OMB Open Government Directive Offers FOI Opportunities

While there are plenty of EPA databases already on line, not all of them are in a form that can be quickly downloaded in their entirety and imported into standard database software. That's a key criterion specified, and one that will ease computer-assisted reporting for journalists.

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Senators, J-Groups, White House Agree on Shield Law Provisions

Federal legislation to protect reporters from having to reveal confidential sources may be back on track. A markup in the Senate Judiciary Committee, possibly November 5, 2009, could tell.

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Supreme Court Property Rights Case Has Environmental Implications

The Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on Dec. 2, 2009. The case, which started with legal action in 2004, involves a dispute over restoration of a stretch of Florida panhandle beaches damaged by storms.

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FOIA Not Fixed Yet: Senate Panel

Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) says Congress has to do more to fix the Freedom of Information Act — especially stemming the hundreds of special exemptions created by Congress itself.

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Sen. Schumer Pushes Back Against WH Effort To Weaken Shield Law

A federal law protecting reporters who maintain the confidentiality of their sources is currently stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee as Obama breaks campaign promise.

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Supreme Court Hears Animal Video Case

Some justices skeptically questioned a 10-year-old law, intended to outlaw "crush videos," making it a criminal offense to possess or publish many depictions of cruelty to animals.

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"Supreme Court's Regulatory Takings Case Draws Widespread Interest"

"More than half of the nation's state attorneys general and two dozen interest groups have weighed in on a high-profile regulatory takings case that the Supreme Court will hear in December."

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Source: Greenwire, 10/07/2009

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CA Set To Curb Energy-Guzzling TVs

Flat-screen TVs can be stunningly energy-inefficient. New California standards could shift manufacturing processes significantly.

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Senate Dents Shield Law for Reporters

A de facto filibuster by several Republicans, plus quibbling by some Democrats, caused a long-awaited markup of bill S 448 to end with no action.

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SEJ Joins Amicus Brief on Dangerously Expanded FOIA Exemption

Several media organizations have joined the case of a Puget Sound resident denied information, under the "law enforcement" exemption to FOIA, that would identify the locations and potential blast ranges of explosive ordnance stored in the area.

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