The SEJ WatchDog Alert

The WatchDog Alert (formerly WatchDog TipSheet from 2008-2019) was a regular source of story ideas, articles, updates, events and other information with a focus on freedom-of-information issues of concern to environmental journalists in both the United States and Canada.

WatchDog was compiled, edited and written by Joseph A. Davis, who directs the WatchDog Project, an activity of SEJ's Freedom of Information Task Force that reports on secrecy trends and supports reporters' efforts to make better use of FOIA.

Topics on the Beat:

Journalism & Media

Public

Latest WatchDog Alert Items

July 15, 2015

Backroom Plot To Scuttle Wisconsin FOIA Falls to Disclosure, Outrage

When a stealth legislative move to dismantle Wisconsin's open records law was revealed this month, a statewide uproar caused sponsors to back off. Appropro that the old lesson "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty" would be taught once again around July 4, 2015.

VIEW ARTICLE
White House Correspondents Ask for Openness Ground Rules

Environmental journalists aren't the only ones complaining about access to officials being constrained by flacks.

VIEW ARTICLE
Secret Congressional Background Reports Leak Again; Debate Continues

Here are some recently leaked CRS reports of relevance to environmental journalists, as well as the latest on the debate following the NYT editorial calling for the reports to be made public.

VIEW ARTICLE
Release-to-One, Release-to-All FOIA Pilot Shakes Some Journos

A new pilot program would make available to the public automatically and immediately any information released to an individual FOIA requester. But some journalists would rather not have their pending scoops revealed before they are ripe. Image source: U.S. government.

VIEW ARTICLE

July 1, 2015

SEJ Urges Agency Openness During National Spill Crises

At the Spills of National Significance (SONS) Draft Communications Strategy forum on June 8, and in a June 30 letter, SEJ urged SONS communicators to release data fully and promptly, to acknowledge uncertainties and gaps, and to give journalists good access to officials, experts and places.

VIEW ARTICLE
New York Times Editorial Calls for Release of CRS Reports

The WatchDog has long whined about Congress' mystifying refusal to let taxpayers read Congressional Research Service reports the taxpayers have paid for. A June 17, 2015, editorial in the New York Times called the situation "absurd," expressing hope that a new director of the Library of Congress (home of the CRS) would manage to get the policy changed.

VIEW ARTICLE
Oil Train Routing Information Still Disclosed, Key to Public Safety

The mandate for disclosure of oil train information set by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in a May 2014 emergency order still exists. But getting that information will be harder — and a battle that must be fought by reporters and public safety advocates on a state-by-state basis.

VIEW ARTICLE
Disclosure of Research Funding Key Issue for Academics, Journos

The issue re-ignited recently when astrophysicist and climate change denier Willie Soon, affiliated with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, was revealed to have taken funding — but not disclosed it — from fossil fuel interests. Now the Smithsonian Institution has said it will tighten its guidelines for disclosure of funding by its researchers.

VIEW ARTICLE

June 17, 2015

Yes, the "Oligopoly" of For-Profit Science Journals is Growing

Some environmental reporters find or research stories by browsing science journals. But difficulty of access to those journals is a common barrier to robust, science-based journalism. The barriers have been getting worse, says a new study — in a science journal.

VIEW ARTICLE
AMA Calls for Disclosure, Monitoring of Chemicals in Fracking Fluid

The American Medical Association, the nation's largest professional association of medical doctors, advocates public policies that doctors believe will protect public health. On Jun 9, 2015, the organization said fracking operation information should go not only to doctors, but also to the public whose health may be at risk.

VIEW ARTICLE

The SEJ WatchDog Alert

Latest WatchDog Alert Items

July 15, 2015

Backroom Plot To Scuttle Wisconsin FOIA Falls to Disclosure, Outrage

White House Correspondents Ask for Openness Ground Rules

Secret Congressional Background Reports Leak Again; Debate Continues

Release-to-One, Release-to-All FOIA Pilot Shakes Some Journos

July 1, 2015

SEJ Urges Agency Openness During National Spill Crises

New York Times Editorial Calls for Release of CRS Reports

Oil Train Routing Information Still Disclosed, Key to Public Safety

Disclosure of Research Funding Key Issue for Academics, Journos

June 17, 2015

Yes, the "Oligopoly" of For-Profit Science Journals is Growing

AMA Calls for Disclosure, Monitoring of Chemicals in Fracking Fluid

Pages

Search Publications

Browse Publications

Subscriptions