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
February 25, 2009
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.Following Burrowers is a Big Project
February 11, 2009–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.Google Opens Ocean Depths, VP Crib To View
February 11, 2009–Now journalists can explore the ocean deeps with Google Earth's newest tool.January 28, 2009
Are You Ready for Sunshine Week? — March 15-21
January 28, 2009–News media across the country will again be undertaking open-government projects in 2009. The Sunshine Week website offers you ideas on stories you could dig out of hard-to-see public records.CJR: "What We Didn't Know Has Hurt Us"
January 28, 2009–A Jan/Feb 2009 Columbia Journalism Review article enumerates many kinds of information the Bush administration veiled with secrecy; argues that disclosure is essential for democracy, yet the harm will not be easily undone.FDA Knew About Mercury in Corn Syrup — And Kept Silent
January 28, 2009–In spite of one of its own scientists co-authoring a 2005 study finding toxic mercury in high fructose corn syrup, the Food and Drug Administration gave a green light to the corn industry's campaign advertising corn syrup as "natural."Perchlorates Offer Early Test of EPA Openness
January 28, 2009–Incoming EPA administrator Lisa Jackson faces an immediate test on perchlorate secrecy, as the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia rejects EPA's argument for FOIA exemption. Will EPA and the Justice Department appeal, even though Obama urges agency openness?
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