News Media for Open Government

“Repeated public criticism of the media at the highest levels of government and the prevalence of false information in the public sphere makes it harder for the public to determine which information is true or false, and which sources are credible. Lack of public statements of support from government officials for the essential function and role of the news media also brings down the grade. Our democratic system depends on public support for independent journalism. Press freedom is undermined when the public has a harder time knowing which information and which sources are credible and reliable.”

– Richard Blum, Director, News Media for Open Government

First Amendment Report Card | Newseum Institute Rarely in our lifetimes has there been more controversy about the state of our First Amendment freedoms. It is critically important for our nation to have serious discussions about the threats and opportunities we face in maintaining and trying to enhance our democracy.

Incredibly well-done explanation in 2 minutes showing why anonymous sources are vital to truth-telling.

The Face of Real News Watch John Carreyrou’s recap and analysis showing how real journalists and real news comes from America’s most trusted newspaper.

We are formally announcing that the Sunshine in Government Initiative has a new name and broadened focus to meet the challenges facing newsgatherers and to promote open government. We are News Media for Open Government. The announcement is here: http://foropengov.org/wordpress/blog-post/release-sgi-adopts-new-name-broadened-focus-news-media-for-open-government/

Release: SGI adopts new name, broadened focus: News Media for Open Government – News Media for Open Government Release: SGI adopts new name, broadened focus: News Media for Open Government NMOG-admin January 18, 2017 PRESS RELEASE — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sunshine in Government Initiative changes name to News Media for Open Government, Re-focuses on defending and advancing newsgathering and open government...

With the FBI director's choices in the spotlight, Congress has already ensured that the public will learn more about the deliberations that went into his choices. It just might take a while.

An Important FOIA Revision Means We Will Know Why Comey Sent That Letter to Congress. Someday. We don’t yet know why James Comey wrote that letter to Congress about Hillary Clinton’s emails. We don’t fully know why President Obama decided not to ...

POWER-POWERED STORY (IMPACT): Senators ask for DEA data in wake of Washington Post investigation Without FOIA, reporters would not have an administrative law judge’s concerns on the record, which in part helped spur the Senators to act. The Post’s work had an impact. Acting DEA Administrator Chuck Rosenberg sent this memo to all employees:

“Recent articles in The Washington Post criticized our...

FOIA-POWERED STORY: New Navy documents reveal communication breakdown between NAS Lemoore and CHP during deadly incident Without FOIA, the public would never see documents concluding communication breakdowns hampered the response to a tragic breach of security at a Navy base.

FOIA-POWERED STORY: Former DEA investigators: 'People were dying' while opioid cases languished Without FOIA, the journalists would not have obtained the report showing a drop in enforcement had been noticed within the Justice Department.

FOIA-POWERED STORY: FDA rules allow medical device makers to keep injuries under wraps WITHOUT FOIAWithout FOIA, the Minnesota Star-Tribune would not have been able to object to confidential treatment for thousands upon thousands of adverse incidents.

Kevin M Goldberg and I joined Tax Analyst's Cara Griffith and Chris Bergin talking about the frustrations with trying to get information from the IRS and whether the changes Congress made to FOIA could help.

Tax Analysts Conference on Transparency and FOIA In the 50th year since its founding, is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) making a difference in transparency? What more do we need to do to strive for o...