Journalism & Media

Federal Shield Law Awaits Senate Action-Blocked by Sen. Kyl

Judiciary Committee leaders urged Senate leaders March 6, 2008, to schedule a floor vote on a bill to create a federal "shield law" for journalists.

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TOOLBOX: Wilileaks Offers Offshore Protection for Disclosure of Wrongdoing

Virtually unknown until the Swiss bank Julius Baer tried to censor it for publishing allegations of financial hanky-panky, a website called Wikileaks has catapulted to fame as a potential tool for journalists... and those who leak to them.

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It's Sunshine Week-Do you Know Where Your City's Secrets Are?

"News is what people want to keep hidden - and everything else is publicity." Bill Moyers made famous that maxim he gleaned from a Texas mentor.

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Use It or Lose It: EPA Releases Toxics Data Feb. 24

EPA made public the latest year's data from the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) February 21, 2008, catching a few journalists by surprise, as usual.

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CRS PUBLISHES BACKGROUNDER ON JOURNALISTS' PRIVILEGE

The Oct. 18, 2007 issue of Congressional Research Service has published a useful backgrounder on the current lack of a "shield law" protecting reporters from legal penalties, including jail, when they refuse prosecutors' requests to disclose the identities of confidential sources.

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National Response Center Changes Leak Report Policy

The National Response Center has changed its policy on releasing chemical accident reports, making it much harder for journalists to gather crucial information about hazardous materials spills on deadline.

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SEJ Opposes Defanging of FOIA Ombud Office

The Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) urged Congress to use its funding power to establish a new independent "ombudsman" office.

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Now Environment Canada Muzzles Scientists, Too: Report

"Environment Canada has 'muzzled' its scientists around the country, ordering them to refer all media queries to Ottawa.

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Cool Tool: Libraries Offer Online Help With Government Info

Reporters looking for help in penetrating the labyrinth of federal information have a new ally: librarians.

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CNN, Weather Channel Axe Environmental Units

At a time when public understanding of complex science and environmental issues grows critical, CNN laid off its entire science/enviro team and NBC's The Weather Channel fired the staff of the "Forecast Earth" environmental program.

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