Publication Items

Texting During "Open" Meetings an Area of Concern [1]

Is text messaging compatible with open meetings? Courts have for several years upheld the notion that texts can be public records. The problem, of course, is knowing about them — since they are less visible than meeting minutes. Image: © Clipart.com. [2]

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [3]
Topics on the Beat:
Government [4]
Laws & Regulations [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Texting During "Open" Meetings an Area of Concern [1]
Despite FDA GRAS Rule, Transparency Debate Over Food Safety Continues [7]

Food industry groups generally liked the new rule, saying that it improved transparency. But consumer groups said it did not go far enough. Image: © Clipart.com. [8]

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [3]
Topics on the Beat:
Consumer [9]
Food [10]
Health [11]
Laws & Regulations [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Despite FDA GRAS Rule, Transparency Debate Over Food Safety Continues [7]
Caught Fudging Science, Duke Power Attacks Reporters Privilege [12]

Embroiled in a growing scandal about efforts to cover up the science on the threat posed by coal ash to North Carolinians' drinking water, Duke Energy is asking a court to hold a hearing to discover the source of a document leaked to the Associated Press.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [3]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [13]
Consumer [9]
Energy & Fuel [14]
Environmental Politics [15]
Laws & Regulations [5]
Pollution [16]
Science [17]
Water & Oceans [18]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Caught Fudging Science, Duke Power Attacks Reporters Privilege [12]
Canadian Journo Forces Release of Docs on Pipeline Impact [19]

Previously secret information about the safety and environmental impact of Enbridge pipeline operations was released in July as a result of efforts by journalist Mike De Souza (pictured), managing editor of the National Observer, and an independent Canadian government watchdog.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [3]
Topics on the Beat:
Energy & Fuel [14]
Environmental Health [20]
Laws & Regulations [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Canadian Journo Forces Release of Docs on Pipeline Impact [19]
Secret Sugar Can Claim "Confidentiality" in Food Recall [21]

Consumers learned in late July of a "voluntary" recall of some processed food products due to possible metal fragments in sugar used to make them. The source of the contaminated sugar remains unknown, because federal law protects "trade secrets" — putting protection of companies above protection of the public. Image: © Clipart.com. [22]

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [3]
Topics on the Beat:
Consumer [9]
Food [10]
Health [11]
Laws & Regulations [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Secret Sugar Can Claim "Confidentiality" in Food Recall [21]
Big FOIA Issue: Should Release To One Mean Release To All? [23]

Journalists are sometimes competitive — and even secretive about the exclusive "scoops" they may be working on, lest their competitors beat them to publication. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press is conducting a survey to get journalists' opinions on the Obama admin's proposed release-to-one-release-to-all policy.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [3]
Topics on the Beat:
Government [4]
Laws & Regulations [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Big FOIA Issue: Should Release To One Mean Release To All? [23]
House GOPers in Standoff with State AGs Over Exxon Climate Probe Docs [24]

Transparency is at the core of an escalating confrontation between House Republicans and some state Attorney Generals over Exxon's support for climate change denial. The AGs in July defied a subpoena from the House Science Committee, chaired by Lamar Smith (R-TX, pictured).

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [3]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [25]
Economy & Business [26]
Energy & Fuel [14]
Laws & Regulations [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about House GOPers in Standoff with State AGs Over Exxon Climate Probe Docs [24]
Court Docs in Bankruptcy Disclose Peabody Funding of Climate Denial [27]

Peabody, the documents show, funded at least two dozen groups that sowed doubt about whether climate change is caused by human emissions and that opposed regulating climate emissions. Most of that funding had been kept secret until now.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [3]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [25]
Energy & Fuel [14]
Environmental Politics [15]
Laws & Regulations [5]
Pollution [16]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Court Docs in Bankruptcy Disclose Peabody Funding of Climate Denial [27]
Reporters Committee Calls for Federal Anti-SLAPP Law [28]

"Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation" are legal bullying, using the resources of well-heeled business or political groups to harass smaller citizens' groups or (sometimes) news media who can barely afford lawyers. Now some are calling for a federal law to counter them.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [3]
Topics on the Beat:
Laws & Regulations [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Reporters Committee Calls for Federal Anti-SLAPP Law [28]
U.S. Appeals Court Rules Private Emails Not Always Exempt from FOIA [29]

When a government official sends work-related emails over a private or personal email account, the emails are not necessarily exempt from the Freedom of Information Act, a federal appeals court ruled July 5, 2016.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [3]
Topics on the Beat:
Laws & Regulations [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about U.S. Appeals Court Rules Private Emails Not Always Exempt from FOIA [29]

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