Government relies on advanced surveillance technology to find leakers

With the Obama administration aggressively prosecuting government workers for revealing classified information to the media, journalists are finding it more difficult in the age of improved surveillance technology to protect their sources. It used to be that the government had to pressure the journalists directly for the identities of their sources, but increasingly they can [...]

Government study of leaks of classified documents calls for dialogue with media

A study of leaks of classified information says that the friction caused by interests in keeping national security secrets and in the public’s right to know can be mitigated to some extent through improved understanding and management achieved partly through dialogue between the government and media. WikiLeaks has changed the secrecy terrain, writes Steven Aftergood [...]

Better technology may revolutionize Freedom of Information Act implementation

As early as this fall, the U.S. government could have in place an interagency project using up-to-date technology to implement the Freedom of Information Act. New technologies could increase proactive disclosure, speed responsiveness and cut backlogs. -db From a commentary in OMB Watch, February 7, 2012. Full story  

California: Long Beach must disclose names of police officers involved in shootings

A California appeals court ruled that cities cannot withhold the name of a police officer involved in shootings unless they provide evidence of a specific threat against the officer. The judge said it’s common practice to identify officers and there was a strong public interest in knowing who was involved in shootings. -db From the San [...]

Free data visualization platform boon to journalists

Weave, a new open-source, web-based platform will allow journalists to see data visually in bringing stories to the public. Weave is not an app but provides software to “create infinitely interactive visualizations,” writes Andrew Phelps for the Nieman Journalism Lab. -db From a commentary for the Nieman Journalism Lab, January 31, 2012, by Andrew Phelps. [...]

Bill backed by media workers would open California state prisons to journalists

A media access bill allowing journalists into California state prisons stands a chance to become law. Eight previous versions of the law were vetoed by three governors. The bill would not only allow journalists to talk with inmates but also prohibit officials from punishing inmates for doing so. -db From the Fog City Journal, February [...]

Media but not public admitted to Los Angeles juvenile court proceedings

The presiding judge for the L.A. County Juvenile Court ordered the courts open to the media but not the public. The court had previously barred the media and public from cases of child abuse, foster care and adoption. The parties involved in a case can still make a compelling case to close doors. From The [...]

Federal court orders release of documents in lawsuit over 2007 Sacramento forest fire

In a case pitting a forest products company against the California Department of Agriculture, the Sacramento Bee sought discovery material filed with the court. A federal district judge ruled that once the materials became judicial records attached to a motion for summary judgment, the public and press should be granted access. -db From The Reporters [...]

With reporting costs escalating, will media cut coverage of Newt Gingrich?

With travel costs eating up the budgets of the big media companies, they will look to save money by ending man-to-man coverage of also rans including Newt Gingrich, predicts John Ellis of BuzzFeed.-db From a commentary in BuzzFeed, January  31, 2012, by John Ellis. Full story  

Reporters group disappointed in federal appeals court decision over access to Virginia state records

The Reporters Committee  for Freedom of the Press did not like a federal appeals decision upholding a law restricting access to Virginia state records by non-residents. The court ruled that the restriction was not unconstitutional. The Reporters Committee felt the court should have considered the effect of the restriction on smaller journalistic enterprises. -db From [...]

Federal court rules non-residents can be denied Virginia state records

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that non-residents have no right to Virginia public records under the state’s freedom of information law. Non-residents were challenging the law claiming it was unconstitutional. The two non-residents who sued the state were seeking child support documents and real estate tax assessment records. -db From The Reporters [...]

Illinois case greater threat to bloggers seeking protection of shield laws

The Oregon case denying a blogger protection under the state;’s shield is of minor concern writes Eric P. Robinson for the Citizen Media Law Project. A greater threat lies in a recent decision in Illinois. In that case the Cook County court ruled that an online news source that posted blogs on technology did not [...]

Justice Department cites threat of violence in U.S. in keeping bin Laden photos secret

The Justice Department wants a federal judge to allow them to withhold photos of the death of Osama bin Laden on the grounds that releasing the photos could incite violence against the U.S. The DOJ disputed the arguments of Judicial Watch that making the photos public would cause harm to national security by revealing intelligence [...]

Government indicts former CIA officer for leaks of classfied information to journalists

The Justice Department  is charging a former intelligence officer with leaking classified information to a journalist. The leaks included the names of covert officers and their work in apprehending terrorist suspects. The officer is charged with divulging to a New York Times reporter the contact information and details of activities of a covert CIA operative. [...]

Brooklyn: Police arrest Occupy Wall Street livestream operators

Police entered the offices of Global Revolution that runs livestream on Occupy Wall Street and arrested six of its operators on Monday effectively shutting down the site which had aggregated livestreaming of Occupy Wall Street worldwide. The arrests were made because the six were living in the offices and refused to honor an order to [...]

California: Anaheim looking into order to purge records

The Anaheim City Attorney is investigating an e-mail sent by a planning department official ordering employees to purge unnecessary records at the risk of disciplinary action. The order came after the Voice of OC filed a California Public Records Act request for communications to and from city council members. -db From the Voice of OC, [...]

American Civil Liberties Union claims secrecy hurting democracy

The quest for national security after 9/11 has resulted in a number of secret agencies, Congressional committees, courts and even laws argues the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU claims that these practices deprive lawmakers and the public of information needed to check abuses and to make policy. -db From a commentary for the American [...]

Federal judge orders Chicago Tribune reporter to turn over notes

The Chicago Tribune is deciding its course of action after a federal judge ordered thier reporter to turn over notes and other document in the case of a juror who concealed her criminal record in the William Cellini trial. Cellini was convicted last month for attempted extortion. The Tribune suggested that the court should first [...]

New York Times columnist taken into police custody in Bahrain

The New York Times columnist Nick Kristof and his collegue were tear-gassed and taken into custody by Bahraini police during a protest in Sitra. The police said the detention was for Kristof’s own good. Kristof has been critical of the Bahraini government. -db From The Wrap,  December 9, 2011, by Lucas Shaw. Full story

Public wants broadcast of U.S. Supreme Court health care hearings

A recent poll showed that 72 percent of the public were in favor of allowing TV cameras into the U.S. Supreme Court hearings on the new health care law. C-Span has asked the court for permission to film the proceedings to give its audience live coverage. Several justices have voiced vehement opposition to allowing cameras [...]

Pennsylvania: Judge issues stringent rules for media in advance of Sandusky hearing

A local newspaper said the courtroom rules for the ex-Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky’s hearing over his alleged rape and sexual abuse of  children “may stun the national media.” The rules cover five pages. “It’s not California,” noted the Centre Daily Times. -db From a  commentary in the Centre Daily Times, December  7, 2011. Full [...]

Bloomberg News makes point-by-point response to Fed charge of ‘egregious errors’ in story on bank bailouts

After Ben Bernanke of the Federal Reserve sent a letter to lawmakers criticizing Bloomberg News for “egregious errors” in a story on the bank bailout, Bloomberg responded with a detailed rebuttal of the key charges. Among other issues, the rebuttal addressed factual errors, disputes over transparency, and fairness in reporting. -db From Bloomberg News, December [...]

State Department still says cables WikiLeaks released last year are classified

The Obama administration is still insisting that cables WikiLeaks released last year are classified even though the cables were released by the State Department in compliance with a Freedom of Information Act request. The classified information concerned targeted killings, detention at Guantanamo, torture and rendition. -db From a commentary for the American Civil Liberties Union, [...]

Cameras issue may cause clash between Congress and Supreme Court

If Congress passes the Cameras in the Courtroom Act of 2011, the issue may ultimately wind up in the Supreme Court in a constitutional showdown. Several justices have expressed vehement opposition to allowing TV coverage of their proceedings, but many in Congress want the public to see the arguments on such crucial issues as  constitutionality [...]

Journalist group president calls for stop to arrests of journalists at Occupy sites

The president of the Society of Professional Journalists called for the end of the “alarming trend” of the arrests of journalists at Occupy demonstrations. John C. Ensslin said he covered the crime beat and that his brother was a police officer and so that he understands the difficult situations confonting police. He proposes that both [...]

Reporter held blameless in sex abuse case suicide

A Lousiana state appeals court ruled that a reporter with KNOE-TV was not liable for the suicide of a blind man who allegedly committed a sexual assault against a blind student. The reporter had reported that the alleged crime was under investigation and named the accused. -db From the Courthouse News Service, December 6, 2011, [...]

California: District judge orders state legislators to disclose budget records

In a case brought by the Los Angeles Times, the Pasadena Sun and the Sacramento Bee, a Sacramento Superior Court judge ordered the California Assembly to release budget records under the California Public Records Act. Lawyers for the Assembly did not participate in oral arguments before the judge last week. -db From the Los Angeles [...]

Tennessee judge opens Russian adoption case

The  Tennessee judge presiding over the lawsuit over the return of an adopted 9-year-old boy to Russia ruled that the court documents be unsealed. A court memo indicated that there were no facts presented to justify sealing the case and that the 9-year-old was living in Russia far from the harsh light of publicity about [...]

Opinion: Los Angeles schools errs in keeping teacher ratings from public

The Los Angeles Unified School District is thwarting the public’s right to know how teachers rated in value-added evaluations saying that the disclosures would be “embarrassing and painful” to teachers. Parents have the right to know how students are faring under their teachers argues Jim Newton in an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times. -db [...]

California Supreme Court to hear case on fitness of lying journalist to practice law

The California Supreme Court will hear arguments on whether Stephen Glass, formerly of The New Republic, is fit to be admitted to the State Bar. Glass’ articles were widely acclaimed before it became clear that 27 of his 41 stories contained fabrications. -db From The Recorder, November 17, 2011, by Cheryl Miller. Full story  

Opinion: WikiLeaks made significant contributions to the right to know

WikiLeaks has changed the face of journalism and contributed more scoops this year than any other media outlet, reports Trevor Timm in a commentary for the Electronic Frontier Foundation. In using the Espionage Act to prosecute WikiLeaks, the federal government poses a real threat to the mainsream media and the First Amendment, argues Timm. -db [...]

Washington state: Supreme Court rules anti-gay petitioners can’t hide identities

The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed disclosure of signatures for a Washington referendum to overturn a law granting domestic partners the same rights as married couples. The opponents of gay marriage had argued that they would be subject to threats, harassment and reprisals if the signatures were released to the public. -db From the Courthouse [...]

Defense Department makes it easier to obtain court filings in Guantanamo trials

As trials of accused terrorists begin at Guantanamo Bay, the Defense Department released new regulations designed to create better access to court filings. Journalists have objected to the long review processes for obtaining court filings without which they were lost when covering the trials. -db From The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, November [...]

Candidate Cain: Public loses when confidentiality agreements settle grievances

The public may never know the truth about alleged sexual harassment by Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain because Cain’s former employer, the National Restaurant Association, signed confidential settlement agreements sealing the lips of all involved. These confidential agreements, argues Wesley J. Smith of the Discovery Institute, often do great harm by shielding dangerous people and [...]

How a Kansas doctor’s complaints took down a national public database

An investigation by ProPublica showed how one doctor through his complaints was able to remove a medical malpractice database from public access. A Kansas doctor with a history of malpractice suits  was able to enlist the American Medical Association and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to protect his privacy interests after a reporter [...]

Sandusky scandal: Reporter says Penn State hides behind weak open records laws

Luke O-Brien, a reporter for Deadspin, says that Penn State refused his requests for e-mails and other documents related to the alleged Jerry Sandusky sex crimes on the grounds that under a special exemption the university is not subject to Pennsylvania’s open records laws. O’Brien argues that since the university accepts $290 million annually from [...]

California state legislators block disclosure of Assembly spending and budgets

Saying they had already exceeded disclosure requirements on budget records, the California Legislature and Assembly said the records of correspondence about the disbursement of taxpayer money were exempt from disclosure. The Los Angeles Times and Sacramento Bee requested the records to investigate  a legislator’s claim that the Assembly Speaker was cutting his spending allowance because [...]

Bloggers’ ranting style protects in free speech cases but may hurt in other realms

Bloggers may win victories in defamation cases since their heated critical commentary is easily identified as opinion rather than fact and not libelous, but the advantage may have a serious down side, writes John Sharkey for the Citizen Media Law Project. Sharkey is concerned that in ruling for bloggers in defamation cases,  judges are making [...]

Milwaukee newspaper photographer arrested covering rally supporting Occupy Wall Street

In attempting to clear a street, Milwaukee policemen arrested a Milwaukee Sentinel Journal photographer covering a march near a university campus in support of the Occupy Wall Street movement. The police claimed the photographer did not identify herself as a journalist. -db From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 2, 2011, by By Karen Herzog with contributions [...]

Commission unveils war fraud, seals records for 20 years

After uncovering $60 billion in contractor waste and fraud in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Commission on Wartime Contracting buried its internal records for 20 years. The Commission did release 8 reports and publish recommendations to avoid waste and fraud, but the decision to block access to the internal records and source material prevents the public [...]

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