Publication Items

Keeping Up on Chemical Databases [1]

Find a rich collection of online resources courtesy of the National Library of Medicine and others, compiled by SEJ member and NLM technical information specialist Philip Wexler.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox [3]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [4]
Technology [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Keeping Up on Chemical Databases [1]
New FOIA Bill Would Speed Federal Response, Ease Tracking [7]

A bipartisan House bill was released March 12, 2013, marking Sunshine Week with proposed steps forward in implementing the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The bill, sponsored by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee's Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Elijah Cummings (D-MD), was put out in draft form for discussion and has yet to be formally introduced.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [8]
Topics on the Beat:
Laws & Regulations [9]
Government [10]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about New FOIA Bill Would Speed Federal Response, Ease Tracking [7]
AP Analysis: Feds Cite Security More Often As Reason for Withholding Information [11]

An Associated Press analysis of data on Freedom of Information Act requests showed little increase in the number of FOIA requests from the public, a slight increase in rejection of such requests, and an increase in federal claims that such rejections were justified by security and internal deliberations.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [8]
Topics on the Beat:
Laws & Regulations [9]
Journalism & Media [12]
Government [10]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about AP Analysis: Feds Cite Security More Often As Reason for Withholding Information [11]
Effort To Reform Secret Federal Advisory Committees Soldiers On [13]

Secret meetings and conflicts of interest for experts on federal advisory committees are still problems, openness advocates told Congress during Sunshine Week 2013. The searchable Federal Advisory Committee Act online database is a great aid for reporters in searching for this type of information on a particular beat.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [8]
Topics on the Beat:
Laws & Regulations [9]
Government [10]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Effort To Reform Secret Federal Advisory Committees Soldiers On [13]
Canada, Not Content To Gag Its Own Scientists, Urges US To Do Same [14]

Some U.S. scientists are refusing to sign nondisclosure agreements called for by the Canadian government's Fisheries and Oceans department on an Arctic science project. The story was reported by Margaret Munro for Postmedia News.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [8]
Region:
Canada [15]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Canada, Not Content To Gag Its Own Scientists, Urges US To Do Same [14]
Recent Secret CRS Reports Liberated [16]

Now you can read reports on key topics on the environmental beat — compiled by the Congressional Research Service and paid for with your tax dollars. Congress does not allow CRS to release them to the public. Thanks to the Government Secrecy Project at the Federation of American Scientists for making them available.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [8]
Topics on the Beat:
Government [10]
Food [17]
Environmental Politics [18]
Energy & Fuel [19]
Economy & Business [20]
Agriculture [21]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Recent Secret CRS Reports Liberated [16]
GOPers Call for Probe of Alleged EPA FOIA Blockage [22]

Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and David Vitter (R-LA) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) on March 7, 2013, released an e-mail exchange they suggest shows EPA lawyers delaying responses to requests for controversial information. They also charge EPA with incompetence and urge U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [8]
Topics on the Beat:
Laws & Regulations [9]
Government [10]
Environmental Politics [18]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about GOPers Call for Probe of Alleged EPA FOIA Blockage [22]
White House Opens Tax-Funded Research to Taxpayers [23]

Such a move had been resisted for years by the few large companies that dominate the scientific publishing industry. Some open-access groups hailed the memo as a breakthrough that would really allow taxpayers to read the research they pay for. Still, the proof will be in the implementation.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [8]
Topics on the Beat:
Government [10]
Environmental Politics [18]
Consumer [24]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about White House Opens Tax-Funded Research to Taxpayers [23]
Judge Rules BLM Must Disclose Companies Nominating Drilling Tracts [25]

A small chink appeared this month in the armor of nondisclosure that protects the oil and gas industry's relationship with federal leasing agencies. BLM had refused to disclose the nominating entities. Federal District Judge Matsch ruled that the Freedom of Information Act requires the disclosure.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [8]
Topics on the Beat:
Laws & Regulations [9]
Government [10]
Energy & Fuel [19]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Judge Rules BLM Must Disclose Companies Nominating Drilling Tracts [25]
Water Quality Portal Offers Data to All [26]

Interested in water quality at the local and watershed level? Not only does the multi-agency "Water Quality Portal" offer large amounts of measurements of water quality in specific lakes and streams — but EPA is offering free training on how to use it via a Webinar.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [8]
Topics on the Beat:
Water & Oceans [27]
Government [10]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Water Quality Portal Offers Data to All [26]

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