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

March 11, 2009

Groups Call On EPA To Settle Suit, Restore TRI

Hundreds of civic groups and individuals called on EPA March 1, 2009, to restore the Toxics Release Inventory to its former usefulness for informing people of what toxic chemicals companies are releasing into their air, water, and land.

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Health Care Journos Call for End to Saddam-Style "Minders"

The Association of Health Care Journalists wrote the Obama administration asking it to end the practice of making reporters go through public affairs offices to arrange interviews with federal experts and, in some cases, having public affairs people monitor those interviews.

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February 25, 2009

Obscure Farm Bill Provision Blacks Out Agricultural Data

The USDA is interpreting a provision in the 2008 Farm Bill so broadly that it may amount to a FOIA exemption for most information about individual agricultural operations.

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FOIA Requests in 120-Day Limbo — Or Are They?

In January 2009, President Obama reversed Bush administration policy and ordered most federal agencies to err on the side of disclosure when responding to FOIA requests. Why, then, are a number of agencies still operating under the old policies?

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"Show Us The Data"

A new online project by two longstanding open-government groups allows people and groups to vote for the government information they would most like disclosed.

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Environment Canada Gags Scientists At Conference

SEJ member Janet Pelley writes about her experience with EC scientists, policy and a press 'minder' at the recent Central Canadian Symposium on Water Quality Research.

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February 11, 2009

262 Groups Urge Congress To Protect Whistleblowers

A coalition of 262 citizen groups from many walks of life urge the new Congress to pass legislation ending the widespread practice of government retaliation against federal employees who reveal government waste, fraud, and abuse.

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Google Opens Ocean Depths, VP Crib To View

Now journalists can explore the ocean deeps with Google Earth's newest tool.

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EPA Reports on Info Access 'Listening' Sessions

Results of EPA's 2008 "National Dialogue" to develop an "Information Access Strategy" are now online.

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Following Burrowers is a Big Project

A significant number of Bush administration political appointees have converted to career civil service jobs in recent months — many in areas covered by environment, energy, resource, science, and health journalists.

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The SEJ WatchDog Alert

Latest WatchDog Alert Items

March 11, 2009

Groups Call On EPA To Settle Suit, Restore TRI

Health Care Journos Call for End to Saddam-Style "Minders"

February 25, 2009

Obscure Farm Bill Provision Blacks Out Agricultural Data

FOIA Requests in 120-Day Limbo — Or Are They?

"Show Us The Data"

Environment Canada Gags Scientists At Conference

February 11, 2009

262 Groups Urge Congress To Protect Whistleblowers

Google Opens Ocean Depths, VP Crib To View

EPA Reports on Info Access 'Listening' Sessions

Following Burrowers is a Big Project

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