TOOLBOX: Online Sources for Researching Medical Literature

September 24, 2008–A useful roundup of links and leads for reporters researching the published literature on medical and some environmental health topics is available online at LLRX.com.

UCS to Release Agency Media Policies Study in October

September 24, 2008–A forthcoming report by the Union of Concerned Scientists — expected the second week of October 2008 — will provide the most extensive documentation to date of federal agency press policies and their impact on environmental reporting.

Dig Up Dirt with Fewer Clicks at New EPA Site (Review)

September 10, 2008–Reporters starved for environmental information and desperate for local story ideas, rejoice. Well, at least don't look so glum. EPA has thrown you a bone or two with its newly redesigned web site.

EPA Hides Data on Pesticide Link to Bee Die-Off

September 10, 2008–The Environmental Protection Agency looks determined to keep the public from knowing whether a pesticide on which it has waived safety rules may be a factor in the worldwide bee die-off known as "colony collapse disorder."

New Smithsonian Head Pleads To Keep FOIA Exemption

September 10, 2008–The Smithsonian Institution, a federal agency with many environment-related research and public education activities, opposes a Congressional move that would subject it to the same open-records law that applies to other executive branch agencies.

Report Card Shows No Slackening of Secrecy Trend

September 10, 2008–The fifth annual report card produced by OpenTheGovernment.org offers hard numbers from a range of indicators that Bush Administration secrecy continues.

Administration Threatens Veto of Shield Law

August 27, 2008–Top Bush Administration officials are signaling they will recommend veto of a bill to shield reporters from being compelled to disclose their confidential sources.

EPA Doesn't Bother to Collect Chemical Safety Data From Companies

August 27, 2008–Neither EPA nor the American public know very much about the possible health effects of tens of thousands of chemicals used in commerce and consumer products every day.

Proposed Fisheries Rule Would Cut Public Input, Info

August 27, 2008–Reporters trying to cover fisheries issues may soon find decisions happening faster than they can cover them.

USDA Stops Pesticide, Fertilizer Data

August 27, 2008–The Bush administration is killing a longstanding program that publishes free the information it gathers on the application of pesticides and fertilizer by U.S. farmers.