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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.

Coronavirus Pandemic Spawns Many Stories on Environment Beat

The momentous COVID-19 outbreak has many, many reporting angles — environment and energy stories certainly among them. Our latest Issue Backgrounder has an extensive rundown on possible ways in for environment and energy reporters, including everything from respiratory disease and air pollution to science denial and climate change, and more. Plus, pending passage of a massive congressional aid package. And an earlier TipSheet on how journalists can prepare for public health emergencies.

COVID-19 Resources for Journalists

SEJ is compiling articles, resources, funding opportunities and events to aid in your reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pandemic Offers Challenges, Opportunities for Teaching

“Scared to cautiously optimistic” is how journalism educators are responding to the rapid ramp-up to remote learning in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, per the latest EJ Academy. Choosing between teaching live or “on tape,” whether to stick with existing curricula halfway through the term or tear it up to cover the contagion, and staying connected to students.

SEJ Publication Highlights

Massive COVID-19 Aid Bill Nears Passage with Key Environment, Energy Elements

03/25/2020 – An historic multi-trillion-dollar COVID-19 aid bill is approaching passage in the U.S. Congress, and while details are currently sketchy, it appears to include some key environment and energy asks related to oil reserves, emergency transit funding, cuts in airline carbon emissions, clean energy tax credits, and relief for oil, gas and coal industries. Read on, find out more about the many environment and energy reporting angles to the COVID-19 outbreak and stay tuned to SEJournal online for further developments.

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‘Nasty-Grams’ Return, Plus Wrangling Over FOIA Rules at EPA, Interior

03/25/2020 – In the second of a two-part return from hiatus recast as an opinion column from SEJournal Online’s Joseph A. Davis, WatchDog looks at freedom of information developments at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Interior. Plus, check out part one for more on the column relaunch and for background on open-information activities by the Society of Environmental Journalists, as well as a look at the lack of government openness around coronavirus.

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Bill Trackers a Boon for Covering Federal, State Legislation

03/18/2020 – As our elected representatives throw themselves into a frenzy of election-year legislative action, reporters can easily fall behind on key environmental and energy measures moving through Congress or state legislatures. The latest Reporter’s Toolbox offers up a way to stay on top of the process — by using the plethora of available bill trackers.

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Enjoy our selection of quotes celebrating journalism and free speech. Submit yours! Click here.

"We've got to have the ugly facts in order to protect us from the official view of reality. Otherwise, we are squeezed empty and filled with what other people want us to think and feel and experience."

— Bill Moyers

Headlines

"E.P.A., Citing Coronavirus, Drastically Relaxes Rules for Polluters"

NY Times, 03/27/2020
"Trump’s Push To Open Economy Could Come At Cost Of Lives"

AP, 03/27/2020
"Politics: Winners And Losers In The Economic Stimulus Package"

E&E Daily, 03/27/2020
Bernhardt Refuses To Let Grand Canyon National Park Close Amid COVID-19

National Parks Traveler, 03/27/2020
Trump DOE Suspends Emergency Oil Purchase After Congress Denies Funding

Washington Examiner, 03/27/2020
Calif. Approves Climate Change Target That Critics Say Is Far Too Weak

LA Times, 03/27/2020
At Critical Moment, Coronavirus Threatens to Bring Offshore Wind to Halt

InsideClimate News, 03/27/2020
"Global Efforts On Ozone Help Reverse Southern Jet Stream Damage"

Guardian, 03/27/2020
"Great Barrier Reef Suffers Mass Coral Bleaching Due To Heat Stress"

CBS News, 03/27/2020
"What It’s Like To Not Have Running Water During A Pandemic"

HuffPost, 03/27/2020

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SEJ's mission is to strengthen coverage of environment, energy, health and climate news, by supporting the journalists who report that news. The benefits of joining include: access to grants for environmental reporting; mentoring by experienced journalists; and members-only e-mailing lists for sharing professional tips, news, and information. SEJ members meet and learn face-to-face from fellow members, other media professionals and topic experts, at our annual conference and volunteer-organized regional gatherings.