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

September 19, 2018

SEJ Joins Free Press Campaigns; Plus Trump Administration Censorship and Improved Tap Water Database

From #enemyofnone to #DefendPressFreedom, the Society of Environmental Journalists has joined numerous other journalism groups in campaigns to support news media. That, plus the latest WatchDog looks at a new report on widespread public support for a free press, a study on the extent of science censorship in the Trump Administration, and an improved database for tracking drinking water stories.

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July 18, 2018

SEJ, Other Groups, Object to US Geological Survey Interview Curbs

The Society of Environmental Journalists and 10 other journalism groups have written Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke (pictured, left) urging him not to interpose political appointees between reporters and the scientists they need to interview. Text here.

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June 6, 2018

Media Object as EPA Bars Reporters from Drinking Water ‘Summit’

Is EPA antipathy toward news media hiding inaction on a toxic drinking water contaminant? That’s the question asked by the latest WatchDog, which looks at a recent incident in which media access to a public meeting was limited, and then explores what may be behind it.

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May 9, 2018

Disappearing ‘Climate,’ EPA FOIA Surge, Pipeline Docs Ruling and More

A reporter reveals that the National Park Service is deleting references to climate change in an upcoming study of sea level rise, and FOIA requesters are behind a record surge in information lawsuits involving Pruitt EPA. That, plus Keystone XL Pipeline documents and more, in the latest WatchDog.

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April 11, 2018

Selective Media Tour on EPA Scandal, ‘Weaponizing’ Transparency and More

The EPA turns to friendly media to share its news, while limiting access to mainstream reporters. And the agency moves to “weaponize” transparency. Those stories, plus, a new way to map political influence on environmental policy, and key reports made public, in the latest WatchDog TipSheet.

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March 13, 2018

Sunshine Week: SEJ Asks EPA for Basics

March 11-17 is Sunshine Week — a time for journalists, public and government to focus on open government. SEJ is asking EPA's press office to ensure basic responses to journalists' information requests. This and more is available here.

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March 7, 2018

Sun Doesn’t Shine at Trump Environmental Agencies

There’s little cause to celebrate upcoming Sunshine Week for those who cover Trump administration environmental agencies. The latest WatchDog catalogues how the EPA has adopted a secretive approach and displays frequent hostility to the news media, including with a troubling series of attacks on individual journalists.

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February 7, 2018

OSHA Drops Fatality Data, Science Suppression Tracker and More

OSHA stops publishing on its website a list of U.S. workers who died on the job, a new "Silencing Science Tracker" tool and a journalists' guide to working with whistleblowers are released, plus a powerful politician pressures a scientist on environmental health policy. All in the latest WatchDog TipSheet.

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December 19, 2017

EPA Offers No-Bid Media Contract; Zinke Reprimands Official on Climate Tweet, CDC Bans Phrases and More

The CDC has apparently banned seven politically incorrect words and phrases, including “science-based," from budget documents. And a no-bid media contract for the EPA may include opposition research on agency employees. That, plus a climate tweet reprimand and more, in the latest edition of WatchDog.

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November 21, 2017

FOIA Suit, Silence on Hog Farms & Sea-Level Rise, Plus Shield Laws

A push for disclosure on hazardous air emissions from industrial hog farms, and reporting on how the coastal real estate industry works to block bad news about sea-level rise. That, plus the Bay Journal FOIAs the EPA over grant defunding, and a move in Congress towards a federal shield law, all in the latest WatchDog.

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The SEJ WatchDog Alert

Latest WatchDog Alert Items

September 19, 2018

SEJ Joins Free Press Campaigns; Plus Trump Administration Censorship and Improved Tap Water Database

July 18, 2018

SEJ, Other Groups, Object to US Geological Survey Interview Curbs

June 6, 2018

Media Object as EPA Bars Reporters from Drinking Water ‘Summit’

May 9, 2018

Disappearing ‘Climate,’ EPA FOIA Surge, Pipeline Docs Ruling and More

April 11, 2018

Selective Media Tour on EPA Scandal, ‘Weaponizing’ Transparency and More

March 13, 2018

Sunshine Week: SEJ Asks EPA for Basics

March 7, 2018

Sun Doesn’t Shine at Trump Environmental Agencies

February 7, 2018

OSHA Drops Fatality Data, Science Suppression Tracker and More

December 19, 2017

EPA Offers No-Bid Media Contract; Zinke Reprimands Official on Climate Tweet, CDC Bans Phrases and More

November 21, 2017

FOIA Suit, Silence on Hog Farms & Sea-Level Rise, Plus Shield Laws

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