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

February 14, 2017

WatchDog Group Sues for Records as Pruitt Confirmation Vote Nears & More

The latest WatchDog TipSheet details an open-records case against U.S. EPA nominee Scott Pruitt (shown), the scoop on an Agriculture Department animal welfare database that vanished then returned, a reporter busted at Standing Rock, plus items on whistleblowers, coal-ash and more.

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January 24, 2017

As EPA, Other Agencies Muzzle Staff, WatchDog Issues Leaker's Guide

At a time when government information may be harder than ever to access, WatchDog offers a unique guide to leaks that reporters can offer potential whistleblowers. Also in the latest column, sealed records on a weedkiller-cancer connection, secret talks on coal-ash regs and more.

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December 20, 2016

U.S. Bars Canadian Photojournalist En Route To Cover Dakota Pipeline Protests

The SEJ has voiced concerns to the U.S. government over an incident in which a Canadian photojournalist en route to cover the Dakota Access Pipeline protests was searched at the U.S. border, then prevented entering. The latest WatchDog TipSheet outlines the free speech implications, including for U.S. reporters.

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November 22, 2016

Analysis: Whither Transparency Under Trump?

A flap over pool coverage of President-elect Trump may prove a prologue to new challenges for the news media. Will journalists have access to the sources and information needed to do their jobs, including covering coming policy battles over the environment? Our WatchDog editor reads the signals on press relations under a Trump Administration. Photo: By Marc Nozell (Flickr) [CC BY 2.0].

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October 26, 2016

You Aren't Allowed To Know How Much of Your Coal Is Being Sold (Cheap?)

The vast coal seams below federally owned lands in the West are a resource owned by the American people as a whole — and when rights to mine them are sold to coal companies, it is supposed to be on terms that are in the public interest. So you'd think public scrutiny via open information would be a given. The Interior Department says not, recently denying a FOIA request for this information. Image: © Clipart.com.

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SEJ Objects To Prosecution of Journalists Covering Pipeline Protests

UPDATE: The Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) on Oct 19, 2016 wrote law enforcement officials at the state and federal levels, objecting to prosecution of journalists who have been covering protests against the Dakota Access Pipe Line and other pipelines. The prosecutor who charged Democracy Now's Amy Goodman has responded to SEJ's letter.

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EPA Beefs Up ECHO Database for Drinking Water Enforcement

U.S. EPA's refinement of ECHO's search engine for drinking water violations should make it possible for journalists to ask much more sophisticated and complex questions — but the usual caveats apply.

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Got Coal Ash? Southeast Database Helps Watchdog Power Plants

Another database upgrade that will help environmental journalists is available from the group Southeast Coal Ash. This database site covers Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

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October 12, 2016

Reporters Committee, Others Launch FOIA Wiki Beta: Help Is on the Way

A promising new resource has begun helping reporters trying to use the Freedom of Information Act to pry loose government information relevant to their stories. The "FOIA Wiki" is a collaborative and explanatory collection of information meant to help you.

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Investigative Journalism Lives! — CMD Exposes GOP on Clean Air Plan

Patience, attention to detail, and public-records requests can still get you a bombshell story on the environmental beat. One recently tied coal and oil company megabucks to Republican attorneys general challenging the Clean Power Plan (CPP) in court.

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The SEJ WatchDog Alert

Latest WatchDog Alert Items

February 14, 2017

WatchDog Group Sues for Records as Pruitt Confirmation Vote Nears & More

January 24, 2017

As EPA, Other Agencies Muzzle Staff, WatchDog Issues Leaker's Guide

December 20, 2016

U.S. Bars Canadian Photojournalist En Route To Cover Dakota Pipeline Protests

November 22, 2016

Analysis: Whither Transparency Under Trump?

October 26, 2016

You Aren't Allowed To Know How Much of Your Coal Is Being Sold (Cheap?)

SEJ Objects To Prosecution of Journalists Covering Pipeline Protests

EPA Beefs Up ECHO Database for Drinking Water Enforcement

Got Coal Ash? Southeast Database Helps Watchdog Power Plants

October 12, 2016

Reporters Committee, Others Launch FOIA Wiki Beta: Help Is on the Way

Investigative Journalism Lives! — CMD Exposes GOP on Clean Air Plan

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