Journalism & Media

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

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.

SEJ President Timothy B. Wheeler testified before a full committee oversight hearing of the House Natural Resources Committee, that a proposed rule governing photography in National Park System units and Wildlife Refuges could restrict media access to these public lands and limit their coverage of natural resource issues.

Studies show environmental news crosses beats, with the beat influencing the coverage, and weathercasters play a key but overlooked role in explaining science.

Freelance reporter Abby Luby recounts her journey and lessons learned so far.

Omnibus 2008 Appropriations Bill (PL 110-161) signed by President Bush Dec. 26, 2007, ordered him to reopen EPA libraries shuttered by his administration and earmarked some $3 million to restore them.

Some new, sharper tools are available for reporters who want to investigate patterns of federal spending or specific cases of interest.

President Bush has signed into law a measure aimed at strengthening the Freedom of Information Act.

Feeling discouraged about the erosion of journalists' traditional role as watchdogs? Lighten up with the Spring 2008 issue of Nieman Reports, published by the foundation at Harvard University. Titled "21st Century Muckrakers: Who Are They? How Do They Do Their Work?" the issue includes nearly 50 articles chronicling the "Muckraker" tradition of American investigative journalism and documenting that muckraking is alive and well, even in today's digital age.