The SEJ WatchDog Alert

The WatchDog Alert (formerly WatchDog TipSheet from 2008-2019) was a regular source of story ideas, articles, updates, events and other information with a focus on freedom-of-information issues of concern to environmental journalists in both the United States and Canada.

WatchDog was compiled, edited and written by Joseph A. Davis, who directs the WatchDog Project, an activity of SEJ's Freedom of Information Task Force that reports on secrecy trends and supports reporters' efforts to make better use of FOIA.

Topics on the Beat:

Journalism & Media

Public

Latest WatchDog Alert Items

January 13, 2010

Sunlight Tool Makes Tracking White House Visitors Easier

Sunlight Foundation took the raw data of White House visitor logs, matched the names to those in OpenSecrets.org, FollowTheMoney.org, LittleSis.org, Google and Wikipedia, and created a searchable online database.

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December 16, 2009

Regulations.gov Sharpens Info Tools Useful to Reporters

Now it's easier than ever to find and read documents submitted for the record at most federal regulatory agencies. Sign up for Federal Register email or RSS-feed notifications.

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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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TRI Analysis Offers State-Level Toxics Info

It's easier to see trends now, and the analysis includes state-by-state fact sheets summarizing statistics for the year, as well as contacts at state agencies.

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Senate Judiciary Panel OKs Shield Law, Sends Bill to Floor

There is no word yet on when the full Senate will take it up. The House has already passed a different shield bill — raising hopes that one could become law during this Congress.

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December 2, 2009

UN Credentialing Limits Reporters' Access to Copenhagen Talks

Non-profit media, online media, freelancers, student journalists, and even some mainstream media are having trouble getting credentials to cover the climate treaty talks in Copenhagen Dec. 7-18, 2009. While one root of the problem may be capacity of the building, a key issue is whether non-profits, bloggers, and freelancers are truly legitimate media.

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November 18, 2009

SEJ Joins Call for End to "Minders," Interview-Control at FDA

As USA TODAY exposes a culture of secrecy at FDA that caused schoolkids in several states to get sick because the FDA hid information about tainted tortillas, SEJ and other journalism groups insist FDA ends restrictions on staff interviews with press.

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Watchdog Groups Call for Improvements in Contractor Misconduct Database

The Project on Government Oversight (POGO) and OMB Watch want the federal government to tighten the accountability of federal contractors by fixing problems with the database — a potentially valuable tool for environmental reporters.

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Congress Clears, Obama Signs Open FOIA Act

From now on, Congress must specifically declare every new FOIA exemption it creates by law.

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Toolbox: Google Scholar Opens Science to Everybody — Almost

A new tool makes finding, understanding, and communicating science easier for environmental reporters.

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The SEJ WatchDog Alert

Latest WatchDog Alert Items

January 13, 2010

Sunlight Tool Makes Tracking White House Visitors Easier

December 16, 2009

Regulations.gov Sharpens Info Tools Useful to Reporters

New OMB Open Government Directive Offers FOI Opportunities

TRI Analysis Offers State-Level Toxics Info

Senate Judiciary Panel OKs Shield Law, Sends Bill to Floor

December 2, 2009

UN Credentialing Limits Reporters' Access to Copenhagen Talks

November 18, 2009

SEJ Joins Call for End to "Minders," Interview-Control at FDA

Watchdog Groups Call for Improvements in Contractor Misconduct Database

Congress Clears, Obama Signs Open FOIA Act

Toolbox: Google Scholar Opens Science to Everybody — Almost

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