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
December 3, 2008
Federal Workers Union Wants Burrowers Lists
December 3, 2008–Federal employee unions want lists of political appointees whose status has been transferred to career civil service positions at the end of the Bush administration.PACER Turns 20 — Still a Workhorse for Reporters
December 3, 2008–The PACER system puts many — but not all — federal court records on line. It's an easy-to-use information access tool for journalists.SPJ Calls for New Congress, Prez To Pass Federal Shield Law
December 3, 2008–The Society of Professional Journalists has called on President-elect Obama and the incoming Congress to complete action on a federal shield law for journalists.Terrorism Database Speaks of Environmental Secrecy
December 3, 2008–For the past decade, federal and state officials have put an immense amount of environmental information behind a veil of secrecy, justifying it on the grounds that the information could help terrorists. A look at the most comprehensive open-source terrorism database offers strong evidence that such fears are ill-founded.Whistleblowers Might Be Your Best Sources
December 3, 2008–Whistleblowers can be a reporter's best friend — although friends that must often be handled with care. If you know a federal agency employee who tells you "Call me on January 21" — be sure to do it.November 20, 2008
TOOLBOX: Contractor Misconduct Database Offers Gumshoes Leads
November 20, 2008–The Project on Government Oversight (POGO) has a new tool for investigative journalists. Reporters can now snoop around the Federal Contractor Misconduct Database to find misdeeds by federal contractors.AREVA Bans Pens, Cameras, Recorders at SEJ's Lynchburg Nuclear Tour
November 20, 2008–AREVA, the world's largest builder of nuclear reactors, banned pens, recorders and cameras during a field trip to the company's Lynchburg facilities organized by SEJ during its 2008 annual meeting held in Roanoke, VA.Groups, Media Pitch Open-Government Proposals To New Administration
November 20, 2008–In an effort to increase government accountability and transparency, media groups put forward a new "21st Century Right-to-Know Agenda."Investors Demand Climate-Risk Disclosure
November 20, 2008–Weary of undisclosed corporate financial risk, battered stock investors are pressuring companies to disclose the economic risks they face from climate change.Smithsonian Adopts FOIA-Like Policies
November 20, 2008–The Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents held its first public meeting in 162 years November 17, 2008. This marks a move away from existing policies that have made the institution's meetings and records less open to public scrutiny than other federal entities.
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