Publication Items

Canadian Journo Forces Release of Docs on Pipeline Impact [1]

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 [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Energy & Fuel [3]
Environmental Health [4]
Laws & Regulations [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Canadian Journo Forces Release of Docs on Pipeline Impact [1]
Secret Sugar Can Claim "Confidentiality" in Food Recall [7]

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. [8]

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
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 [7]
Big FOIA Issue: Should Release To One Mean Release To All? [12]

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 [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Government [13]
Laws & Regulations [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Big FOIA Issue: Should Release To One Mean Release To All? [12]
How Do 2016 Presidential Candidates Stand on Open Government? [14]

The news media often defend the freedom-of-information principles that allow them to hold government accountable for their audiences. But will they ask presidential candidates during the 2016 presidential debates how they stand on government transparency? Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton (pictured) doesn't do press conferences.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Government [13]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about How Do 2016 Presidential Candidates Stand on Open Government? [14]
House GOPers in Standoff with State AGs Over Exxon Climate Probe Docs [15]

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 [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [16]
Economy & Business [17]
Energy & Fuel [3]
Laws & Regulations [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about House GOPers in Standoff with State AGs Over Exxon Climate Probe Docs [15]
Scientists Critique Media Reports on Climate [18]

Yale Climate Connections' Bud Ward reports on the Climate Feedback project, which scores articles and columns for accuracy, logic and reasoning, fairness, objectivity and precision.

SEJ Publication Types:
Features [19]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [16]
Journalism & Media [20]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Scientists Critique Media Reports on Climate [18]
Ag Department To Release Food Safety Inspection Data [21]

Data journalists may be salivating at news that the USDA will soon release facility-specific federal food safety inspection information in database form. Photo: © Clipart.com [22]

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Agriculture [23]
Health [11]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Ag Department To Release Food Safety Inspection Data [21]
EPA Withholds "Deliberative" Docs on Arizona's Rosemont Mine [24]

The public is still in the dark about the environmental impacts of the open-pit Rosemont copper mine proposed near Tucson. The documents are sought by Arizona Daily Star reporter and SEJ member Tony Davis, who has doggedly reported on the impacts, largely utilizing FOIA request results. Image: © Clipart.com [25]

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Environmental Politics [26]
Natural Resources [27]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about EPA Withholds "Deliberative" Docs on Arizona's Rosemont Mine [24]
News Media Groups Complain About Convention Restrictions [28]

Authorities in both Cleveland and Philadelphia placed new restrictions on media covering the Republican convention, including banning gas masks, backpacks and bags bigger than 18" x 13" x 7" — which severely cramps broadcast journalists' ability to carry electronic gear.

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Government [13]
Journalism & Media [20]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about News Media Groups Complain About Convention Restrictions [28]
Court Docs in Bankruptcy Disclose Peabody Funding of Climate Denial [29]

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 [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [16]
Energy & Fuel [3]
Environmental Politics [26]
Laws & Regulations [5]
Pollution [30]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Court Docs in Bankruptcy Disclose Peabody Funding of Climate Denial [29]

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