Searchable archives of the biweekly WatchDog TipSheet's story ideas, articles, updates, events and other information with a focus on freedom-of-information issues of concern to environmental journalists in both the U.S. and Canada are posted here on the day of publication. Journalists are eligible for a free email subscription; send name and full contact information to the SEJ office. WatchDog TipSheet is also available via RSS feed. 
Latest WatchDog TipSheet Items
July 15, 2009
Court Upholds Park Police Chief Fired for Talking to Press
July 15, 2009–The federal Appeals Court for the D.C. Circuit has reinstated a lawsuit by former National Park Police Chief Teresa Chambers, who was fired in 2004.Dole Sues "Bananas!" Film-Maker For Defamation
July 15, 2009–Showing of the film, depicting purported harm and claims of sterility by Nicaraguan plantation workers, went ahead at the Los Angeles Film Festival, even though an April 2009 Superior Court ruled that those claims were fraudulent.
EPA's Jackson Calls for More Transparency on Water Quality, Enforcement
July 15, 2009–Jackson ordered staff to make existing information more accessible and understandable to the public, including posting on the Web state performance reports under the Clean Water Act.In B.C., Freedom of Information May Not Be Free
July 15, 2009–"Crown copyright" may be emerging in British Columbia as a way for a government claiming openness to subvert freedom-of-information law.SEC Poised To Mandate Climate Risk Disclosure by Firms
July 15, 2009–Federal regulators may require corporations to assess and reveal how the effects of climate change may impact their financial health.Toolbox: Homeland Security Daily Infrastructure Report
July 15, 2009–Reporters interested in following the hazards of dams, refineries, chemical plants, pipelines, and other infrastructure may find story leads in DHS reports.July 1, 2009
Bills Seek Disclosure of "Fracking" Chemicals That May Threaten Drinking Wells
July 1, 2009–Proposed legislation would repeal a provision allowing secrecy over chemicals injected underground during high-tech gas drilling — such as benzene and toluene, which are known to be toxic.Coal-Waste Impoundment Database Offers Journalists a Tool
July 1, 2009–A cooperative effort of federal and state agencies, coal companies, and environmental groups, the database lists coal-waste impoundments in West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
EPA Relents, Releases List of 44 High-Hazard Coal-Ash Ponds
July 1, 2009–FOIA requests and Congressional pressure got the Obama administration to reverse its decision to withhold key information about dangers to communities from coal-ash ponds operated by electric utilities.High Court To Rule on Whether "Animal Cruelty" Is Exempt From 1st Amendment
July 1, 2009–This case may make it illegal for journalists to cover animal cruelty cases like the Michael Vicks dogfighting prosecution — or even to shoot investigative video of out-of-season fishing.
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