The Society of Environmental Journalists has urged the Energy Department to abandon a new rule making it easier for the agency to deny or resist Freedom of Information Act requests.
See the latest actions taken by SEJ advocating access to environmental information, press freedom and supporting the media's right to know on behalf of the public, including opposing federal worker nondisclosure agreements, condemning the arrests and harassment of journalists at Newark's Delaney Hall, urging the Veterans Administration to stop investigating its employees for speaking to the press, condemning the ICE arrest of a Nashville journalist Estefany Rodriguez, urging strengthening of New York's FOIL and condemning the arrests of journalists Don Lemon, Georgia Fort.
On Monday, November 18, 2002, the SEJ Task Force again voiced its concern over the FOIA exemptions contained in the Homeland Security Act. SEJ President Dan Fagin, board liaison Jim Bruggers and SEJ Freedom of Information Task Force chair Ken Ward, Jr. signed a letter sent to several key senators, urging them to support compromise language that had previously been agreed to.
The National Response Center has changed its policy on releasing chemical accident reports, making it much harder for journalists to gather crucial information about hazardous materials spills on deadline.
The Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) urged Congress to use its funding power to establish a new independent "ombudsman" office.
