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 1, 2009

EPA Relents, Releases List of 44 High-Hazard Coal-Ash Ponds

FOIA requests and Congressional pressure got the Obama administration to reverse its decision to withhold key information about dangers to communities from coal-ash ponds operated by electric utilities.

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Coal-Waste Impoundment Database Offers Journalists a Tool

A cooperative effort of federal and state agencies, coal companies, and environmental groups, the database lists coal-waste impoundments in West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

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Bills Seek Disclosure of "Fracking" Chemicals That May Threaten Drinking Wells

Proposed legislation would repeal a provision allowing secrecy over chemicals injected underground during high-tech gas drilling — such as benzene and toluene, which are known to be toxic.

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High Court To Rule on Whether "Animal Cruelty" Is Exempt From 1st Amendment

This case may make it illegal for journalists to cover animal cruelty cases like the Michael Vicks dogfighting prosecution — or even to shoot investigative video of out-of-season fishing.

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Rockefeller Introduces Bill To Outlaw Bayer Chem-Secrecy Ruse

Rockefeller's bill keeps FOIA exemptions for real security information, but forbids using the "sensitive security information" stamp.

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June 17, 2009

Two Agencies Hide Neglect of Coal-Dam Safety with Secrecy

US EPA and Army Corps of Engineers say they "cannot make the list of 'high hazard' coal ash impoundment sites public," even though risk to communities exists -- like the December 2008 pond failure at the Kingston Fossil Plant in Tennessee.

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June 3, 2009

New Jersey DEP Proposes Gag Order on Science Info

The Newark Star-Ledger reports a move by a top New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection official to prevent public disclosure of scientific information that should be public until political appointees without science credentials and press officers have approved it.

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Obama Openness Promise Still Unfulfilled at MSHA

The Mine Safety and Health Administration still denies FOIA requests, including one filed in Oct. 2008 by mine safety attorney Tony Oppegard for some witness statements.

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FDA Mulls Putting Public's Health Above Companies' Trade Secrets

NYT: "The goal is to open up a system in which the agency failed to inform the public that a widely prescribed heartburn drug was especially toxic to babies; that a diabetes medicine and a painkiller increased heart attack risks; and that antidepressants increased suicidal thoughts and behavior in children and teenagers."

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List of Nuclear Sites Released in Flub

The Government Printing Office web site apparently took down the publication after discovery of the mistake -- but the entire report is still available on the site of the Federation of American Scientists' Project on Government Secrecy.

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The SEJ WatchDog Alert

Latest WatchDog Alert Items

July 1, 2009

EPA Relents, Releases List of 44 High-Hazard Coal-Ash Ponds

Coal-Waste Impoundment Database Offers Journalists a Tool

Bills Seek Disclosure of "Fracking" Chemicals That May Threaten Drinking Wells

High Court To Rule on Whether "Animal Cruelty" Is Exempt From 1st Amendment

Rockefeller Introduces Bill To Outlaw Bayer Chem-Secrecy Ruse

June 17, 2009

Two Agencies Hide Neglect of Coal-Dam Safety with Secrecy

June 3, 2009

New Jersey DEP Proposes Gag Order on Science Info

Obama Openness Promise Still Unfulfilled at MSHA

FDA Mulls Putting Public's Health Above Companies' Trade Secrets

List of Nuclear Sites Released in Flub

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