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
March 11, 2009
Groups Call On EPA To Settle Suit, Restore TRI
March 11, 2009–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.Health Care Journos Call for End to Saddam-Style "Minders"
March 11, 2009–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.SEJ Backs Free Publication of Tax-Funded Research
March 11, 2009–SEJ and science journalism groups expressed opposition to a bill that would reverse current policy of free publication of scientific results coming from federal agencies.Ten Good Things on the EPA Web Site
March 11, 2009–There is a lot of useful government information that is freely available to journalists and the public online. Here are some examples from EPA that can be the building blocks of great stories.February 25, 2009
"Show Us The Data"
February 25, 2009–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.Environment Canada Gags Scientists At Conference
February 25, 2009–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.FOIA Requests in 120-Day Limbo — Or Are They?
February 25, 2009–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?Obscure Farm Bill Provision Blacks Out Agricultural Data
February 25, 2009–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.February 11, 2009
262 Groups Urge Congress To Protect Whistleblowers
February 11, 2009–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.EPA Reports on Info Access 'Listening' Sessions
February 11, 2009–Results of EPA's 2008 "National Dialogue" to develop an "Information Access Strategy" are now online.
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