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

August 24, 2016

Caught Fudging Science, Duke Power Attacks Reporters Privilege

Embroiled in a growing scandal about efforts to cover up the science on the threat posed by coal ash to North Carolinians' drinking water, Duke Energy is asking a court to hold a hearing to discover the source of a document leaked to the Associated Press.

VIEW ARTICLE
Texting During "Open" Meetings an Area of Concern

Is text messaging compatible with open meetings? Courts have for several years upheld the notion that texts can be public records. The problem, of course, is knowing about them — since they are less visible than meeting minutes. Image: © Clipart.com.

VIEW ARTICLE
Despite FDA GRAS Rule, Transparency Debate Over Food Safety Continues

Food industry groups generally liked the new rule, saying that it improved transparency. But consumer groups said it did not go far enough. Image: © Clipart.com.

VIEW ARTICLE
Databases Can Help Environmental Reporting

Data journalism is in again. Some new databases, including EPA's on beaches and USGS' on dam removals, can help environmental reporters find and investigate local stories.

VIEW ARTICLE

August 3, 2016

House GOPers in Standoff with State AGs Over Exxon Climate Probe Docs

Transparency is at the core of an escalating confrontation between House Republicans and some state Attorney Generals over Exxon's support for climate change denial. The AGs in July defied a subpoena from the House Science Committee, chaired by Lamar Smith (R-TX, pictured).

VIEW ARTICLE
Big FOIA Issue: Should Release To One Mean Release To All?

Journalists are sometimes competitive — and even secretive about the exclusive "scoops" they may be working on, lest their competitors beat them to publication. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press is conducting a survey to get journalists' opinions on the Obama admin's proposed release-to-one-release-to-all policy.

VIEW ARTICLE
Secret Sugar Can Claim "Confidentiality" in Food Recall

Consumers learned in late July of a "voluntary" recall of some processed food products due to possible metal fragments in sugar used to make them. The source of the contaminated sugar remains unknown, because federal law protects "trade secrets" — putting protection of companies above protection of the public. Image: © Clipart.com.

VIEW ARTICLE
How Do 2016 Presidential Candidates Stand on Open Government?

The news media often defend the freedom-of-information principles that allow them to hold government accountable for their audiences. But will they ask presidential candidates during the 2016 presidential debates how they stand on government transparency? Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton (pictured) doesn't do press conferences.

VIEW ARTICLE
Canadian Journo Forces Release of Docs on Pipeline Impact

Previously secret information about the safety and environmental impact of Enbridge pipeline operations was released in July as a result of efforts by journalist Mike De Souza (pictured), managing editor of the National Observer, and an independent Canadian government watchdog.

VIEW ARTICLE

July 20, 2016

Court Docs in Bankruptcy Disclose Peabody Funding of Climate Denial

Peabody, the documents show, funded at least two dozen groups that sowed doubt about whether climate change is caused by human emissions and that opposed regulating climate emissions. Most of that funding had been kept secret until now.

VIEW ARTICLE

The SEJ WatchDog Alert

Latest WatchDog Alert Items

August 24, 2016

Caught Fudging Science, Duke Power Attacks Reporters Privilege

Texting During "Open" Meetings an Area of Concern

Despite FDA GRAS Rule, Transparency Debate Over Food Safety Continues

Databases Can Help Environmental Reporting

August 3, 2016

House GOPers in Standoff with State AGs Over Exxon Climate Probe Docs

Big FOIA Issue: Should Release To One Mean Release To All?

Secret Sugar Can Claim "Confidentiality" in Food Recall

How Do 2016 Presidential Candidates Stand on Open Government?

Canadian Journo Forces Release of Docs on Pipeline Impact

July 20, 2016

Court Docs in Bankruptcy Disclose Peabody Funding of Climate Denial

Pages

Search Publications

Browse Publications

Subscriptions