The Senate Agriculture Committee has written an exemption from the Freedom of Information Act for records in the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The language, which is in the draft version of the Farm Bill and would prevent American meat eaters from knowing about any problems with their meat was introduced by farmers and members of the food industry.

SEJ and 18 other journalism groups urged the Department of the Interior Oct. 19, 2007, to revise a proposed rule that would keep freelancers and documentarians from covering news in National Parks, Wildlife Refuges, and other DOI lands.

The House Resources Committee will hold a hearing Dec. 12, 2007, to air concerns that proposed Interior Department rules requiring fees and permits for photography and sound recording on public lands could limit freedom of the press.

In this issue: The environment beat bounces back: Moyers: Did Ida Tarbell seek industry response? Controversial "Trade Secrets": just the first of more on the environment...for the complete hotlinked table of contents, click on the journal cover.

In this issue: Why pay a journalist to think?; Coping with 9/11-on the beat and at home; 'Poison in your backyard': Exposing the hidden dangers of treated lumber...for the complete hotlinked table of contents, click on the journal cover.

In this issue: Green rights cases return: Courts, EPA grapple with environmental justice; Becoming your own publisher; 'The secret history of lead'...for the complete hotlinked table of contents, click on the journal cover.

Rachel Carson: 'No peace for me if I kept silent'; It's best to prepare for the worst; New federal security act threatens FOI; Archives as a source of news; and more.

 

In this issue: The birth of environmental journalism: An early history of environmental reporting and public relations; Mobile Register show U.S. fails to protect seafood eaters from mercury...for the complete hotlinked table of contents, click on the journal cover.

 

In this issue: SEJ tackles data controls; A journalism laurel: Environment writer saved; Veteran journalist unravels emerging issue...for a complete hotlinked table of contents, click on journal cover.

In this issue: How to sell your story; Exploring the cost of mining the west; and much more.