Publication Items

COVID-19 Data Challenges Can Spark Better Journalism

Reporting the COVID-19 pandemic may mean telling environmental stories, while using the best data to do it. The latest Reporter’s Toolbox spotlights three key resources to capture a detailed look at where and who the coronavirus is striking, and how it connects to the environment: a dashboard, an ambitious data platform and an unheralded tool for uncovering environmental injustice.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox
Topics on the Beat:
Disasters
Environmental Health
Health
Journalism & Media
People & Population
Region:
National (U.S.)
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about COVID-19 Data Challenges Can Spark Better Journalism
Ignoring COVID-19 Link, EPA Leaves Lax Soot Standard in Place

As researchers are finding that soot and other forms of fine particulates in the air may actually make people more vulnerable to the coronavirus, the EPA decided earlier this month against tightening related standards under the Clean Air Act. The latest TipSheet explains why the decision matters, provides deeper context and offers story ideas and resources.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet
Topics on the Beat:
Air
Disasters
Environmental Health
Environmental Politics
Environmental Studies
Government
Health
Journalism & Media
Laws & Regulations
People & Population
Policy
Pollution
Science
Transportation
Region:
National (U.S.)
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Ignoring COVID-19 Link, EPA Leaves Lax Soot Standard in Place
When the Crisis Was Immense, SEJ Award-Winner Went Narrow

How do you gain perspective on a widespread public health disaster? Award-winning reporter Apoorva Mandavilli shares valuable lessons on using a small lens to cover a big story — no, not COVID-19, but the deadly 1984 gas leak in Bhopal, India. And as she explains in this Inside Story Q&A, this decades-old story never really went away in the first place.

SEJ Publication Types:
Inside Story
Topics on the Beat:
Activism
Air
Chemicals
Disasters
Environmental Health
Government
Health
Journalism & Media
People & Population
Pollution
Water & Oceans
Region:
International
Asia
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about When the Crisis Was Immense, SEJ Award-Winner Went Narrow
Go-To Books for Understanding and Surviving a Pandemic

If you’re looking for perspective in your reporting connected with the coronavirus story, it might help to turn to the extensive library of non-fiction books offering insight into disease and epidemics. Our own Bob Wyss offers a helping hand, with a select list of the most useful texts. Plus, links to resource lists for many more, in the latest BookShelf.

SEJ Publication Types:
BookShelf
Topics on the Beat:
Disasters
Environmental Health
Health
Journalism & Media
People & Population
Science
Region:
National (U.S.)
California
Great Plains (IA KS ND NE MO SD)
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT)
International
Central America & the Caribbean
Europe
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Go-To Books for Understanding and Surviving a Pandemic
Coronavirus Threatens Health of U.S. Journalism, Plus Climate ‘Blackout’ & Disabling FOIA

The economic fallout from COVID-19 is severely damaging the news business, but may also point to transformative new ways of doing journalism, writes columnist Joseph A. Davis in the latest WatchDog. Meanwhile, the coronavirus-climate connection shows the importance of good, scientifically sound journalism. And are federal agencies leaning on COVID-19 to slow FOIA actions?

SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog
Topics on the Beat:
Activism
Climate Change
Disasters
Environmental Politics
Government
Health
Journalism & Media
Laws & Regulations
Policy
Science
Region:
National (U.S.)
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Coronavirus Threatens Health of U.S. Journalism, Plus Climate ‘Blackout’ & Disabling FOIA
Covering Climate Change in Age of Coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic has pushed climate change out of the headlines. But the two stories have much in common if journalists look beneath the surface. That was the consensus of expert panelists at an April 2 webinar organized by the Society of Environmental Journalists, who also had suggestions on how to cover both beats better. Read more, or check out video or audio.

SEJ Publication Types:
SEJ News
Topics on the Beat:
Activism
Climate Change
Disasters
Environmental Politics
Government
Health
Journalism & Media
Planning & Growth
Policy
Region:
National (U.S.)
International
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Covering Climate Change in Age of Coronavirus
Climate, Environment Stories Abound in COVID-19 Rescue Bill

While the COVID-19 outbreak may be absorbing most of the world’s attention, the latest TipSheet advises journalists not to back-burner climate-related energy reporting, as industries and activists continue lobbying for new energy stimulus measures from Congress. On the watch list: tax breaks, airline emission cuts, infrastructure, fossil fuel industry bailouts and more.

SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet
Topics on the Beat:
Activism
Climate Change
Disasters
Economy & Business
Energy & Fuel
Environmental Politics
Government
Journalism & Media
Laws & Regulations
Policy
Region:
National (U.S.)
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Climate, Environment Stories Abound in COVID-19 Rescue Bill
Q&A Column Resumes with New Co-Editors, New Award Winners

SEJ’s 2020 reporting awards’ deadline is coming up April 24 and the SEJournal is bringing back its Inside Story Q&A feature to share insights from previous award winners. Meet the column’s two new co-editors, including former SEJ president, Emilia Askari (pictured left), and awards committee member Parimal Rohit (pictured right). And find out which award winner, with highly relevant disaster coverage, will relaunch the column in the coming weeks.

SEJ Publication Types:
Inside Story
Topics on the Beat:
Disasters
Journalism & Media
Region:
National (U.S.)
International
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Q&A Column Resumes with New Co-Editors, New Award Winners
Standing Together in Spite of Distancing

Journalists cannot help but be part of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic story, balancing our mandate to be a key information source with our own health and safety, writes Society of Environmental Journalists President Meera Subramanian. But SEJ is right there with them, providing resources and a shared sense of purpose and connection. Find out how SEJ can help, plus SEJ’s plans to weather the related economic crisis, preparations for the annual conference this fall and more. Read the latest SEJ President’s Report.

SEJ Publication Types:
SEJ Presidents Report
Topics on the Beat:
Disasters
Economy & Business
Journalism & Media
Region:
National (U.S.)
International
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Standing Together in Spite of Distancing
Journalism Associations, Other Groups Offer COVID-19 Reporting Resources

If reporting on the coronavirus crisis is off your usual beat, Reporter's Toolbox has help — a compilation of resource guides for reporters covering this historic public health emergency. Check out useful links from journalism associations and other news media bodies, as well as info about open information under COVID-19, international journalism resources and more.

SEJ Publication Types:
Reporters Toolbox
Topics on the Beat:
Activism
Disasters
Environmental Health
Health
Journalism & Media
Science
Region:
National (U.S.)
International
Europe
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Journalism Associations, Other Groups Offer COVID-19 Reporting Resources