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

May 25, 2020

"Endangered Species Records Ruling Would Undermine FOIA, Feds Say"

"The Trump administration is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to allow the government to keep certain endangered species records out of the public eye."

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February 21, 2020

SEJ Protests SBA "No Journalists" Environmental Roundtable

The Small Business Administration announced an "environmental roundtable" Feb. 28, as being “open to all interested persons, with the exception of the press." The Society of Environmental Journalists, through its Freedom of Information Task Force, has protested this in a Feb 21 letter (full text).

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February 19, 2020

SEJ Joins RCFP Amicus Brief — La Liberte v. Reid

SEJ joined with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and 20 other media organizations in filing an amicus brief in La Liberte v. Reid.

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February 5, 2020

SEJ Joins RCFP Amicus Brief — Carroll County E911 v. Hasnie

SEJ joined with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and 15 other media organizations in filing an amicus brief in Carroll County E911 v. Hasnie. Carroll County refuses to disclose 911 recordings pertaining to a November 2016 house fire in which four Flora, Indiana children died.

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February 3, 2020

SEJ Joins RCFP Amicus Brief — Parekh v. CBS

SEJ joined with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and 55 journalism groups and other interested parties in filing an amicus brief in Parekh v. CBS, supporting the right of CBS and reporter Brian Conybeare to recover attorneys’ fees under the Florida anti-SLAPP statute.

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January 30, 2020

SEJ Joins Protest of Sec. Pompeo Treatment of NPR, Media

SEJ has protested Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's retaliation against, and abuse of, National Public Radio and its reporters. SEJ President Meera Subramanian signed the January 30 letter.

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January 22, 2020

SEJ Condemns Indonesia Arrest of Mongabay Journalist

The Society of Environmental Journalists condemned Indonesia’s arrest and imprisonment of Philip Jacobson, an editor for the environmental news site Mongabay.

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January 16, 2020

SEJ Opposes Press Restrictions for Trump Impeachment Trial

January 16, 2020 — The Society of Environmental Journalists joined with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and 56 other media organizations in a letter opposing restrictions on the press during the upcoming Senate impeachment trial of President Donald J. Trump. SEJ speaks out about right-to-know issues, such as this one, which would hinder journalists’ efforts to share timely and accurate updates and commentary with the American public.

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December 18, 2019

Conflict Over EPA, Interior FOIA Policies May Come to Head in 2020

FOIA is under fire. And for journalists who rely on open records to do their work, the coming year may prove a crucial test of policies at key federal agencies on the beat. This special WatchDog TipSheet takes a deep dive on looming FOIA controversies at Interior and EPA, flagging potential flashpoints for 2020.

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July 31, 2019

Alaska Natives Accuse White House Of Hiding Arctic Oil Impact Info

"Alaska Natives and environmental groups sued the Trump administration on Wednesday, accusing it of concealing information about the effects of oil development in the long-protected Arctic National Wildlife Refuge."

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The SEJ WatchDog Alert

Latest WatchDog Alert Items

May 25, 2020

"Endangered Species Records Ruling Would Undermine FOIA, Feds Say"

February 21, 2020

SEJ Protests SBA "No Journalists" Environmental Roundtable

February 19, 2020

SEJ Joins RCFP Amicus Brief — La Liberte v. Reid

February 5, 2020

SEJ Joins RCFP Amicus Brief — Carroll County E911 v. Hasnie

February 3, 2020

SEJ Joins RCFP Amicus Brief — Parekh v. CBS

January 30, 2020

SEJ Joins Protest of Sec. Pompeo Treatment of NPR, Media

January 22, 2020

SEJ Condemns Indonesia Arrest of Mongabay Journalist

January 16, 2020

SEJ Opposes Press Restrictions for Trump Impeachment Trial

December 18, 2019

Conflict Over EPA, Interior FOIA Policies May Come to Head in 2020

July 31, 2019

Alaska Natives Accuse White House Of Hiding Arctic Oil Impact Info

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