The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Oct. 16, 2007, to create a federal shield law which would offer limited protection for reporters from being compelled to disclose confidential sources.

President Barack Obama signalled that open access to information will be a top priority for his administration, issuing two memos to all executive agencies and one executive order at a January 21, 2009, session open to reporters and cabinet members.

In this issue: War and recession: reporters still optimistic on job security, future; U.S. Senator Tim Wirth, host of experts slated for first SEJ national conference; a reporter's reflections on Kuwait 's devastation; traffic in rare plants and animals; indispensable reference texts; more.

 

In this issue: The advocacy debate: Utne conference yields range of conclusions; risks covering environmental hazards; first annual conference set for Colorado; SEJ co-hosts meeting with East European reporters; the plight of Asian environmental reporters; ethical considerations on the enviro beat; more.

In this issue: The Pulitzer stories; Journalists and scientists meet Nov.14 to discuss environmental journalism; Sources help Daily News expose bad water supply; coverage of decline in songbirds, amphibians and trees; and more.

A federal district judge ruled that agencies can't use delay to create secrecy when the Freedom of Information Act requires them to disclose records.

"Attorney General Michael Mukasey and three other top Bush administration officials are weighing in against legislation that would allow reporters to protect the identities of confidential sources..."

Environmental reporters who want to keep track of accidents on their beats may want to know about these useful tools and resources.