Media Vows to Pry Open Closed Doors in Washington

[shraby]

NEW YORK Press efforts to thwart government secrecy are moving forward on two fronts as Washington bureau chiefs unite to more aggressively cover federal government attempts to hide information and the head of Associated Press offers plans for a new open government lobbying center in Washington, D.C.

"We wanted to raise awareness that this is a growing problem for us," says Andy Alexander, D.C. bureau chief for Cox Newspapers and new chair of the American Society of Newspaper Editors' FOI Committee, who is leading the bureau chiefs' effort. "We have a special obligation to be more aware of threats to public information."

Alexander's comments followed his participation in a May 3 luncheon at the National Press Club that included speakers from the First Amendment Center, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and the new Coalition of Journalists for Open Government. Nineteen Washington bureau chiefs attended and agreed to boost their efforts to cover more issues related to government secrecy.

(more)
<http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000523635>

Sure hope they're successful!!!

[NV1962]

1. Not a second too soon, what kept them the past 3 years? - n/t

[Hekate]

2. Great news. Glad they woke from their hypnotic trance.

:kick:


Hekate

[Leilani]

3. Better late than never!

Maybe they can help us take back our democracy.

[Democat]

4. They are getting ready to bring down President Kerry

There won't be much action on this until Bush is gone.

The U.S. media kisses ass to Republicans and try to destroy Democrats.

[ibegurpard]

5. please forgive my cynicism.

I'll withhold judgement on this until I see what direction it takes.

[dbt]

6. NO SHIT!!!

"Growing problem," my shiny metal ass! The Media Borg grew this problem its own WHORISH self. It fell all over its own tentacles to prop bu$h up from the moment he announced his candicacy and has had its lips GLUED to his Reptile ass ever since.

Now it thinks the Government that it helped put into power might be keeping things from it??????????????

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

:argh:
dbt

[lostnfound]

7. kick kick kick! Latest secrecy is dbase of government contracts

The database itself has now been 'privatized' so WE are paying a corporation to keep it secret. The database was often used by journalists and researchers; now the data may still be available but the fees are 10 times as much.

This story was in In These Times or Progressive recently.

[Toots]

8. Ha Haw................................ Nelson's laugh

But then again it should just be a laugh. What a joke. The Press is gunna try and be the press.

[Nay]

9. As I've said in earlier reports about how the press is waking up --

"why, they're waking up just in time to start terrorizing the Democrats when they gain office in January." How predictable and maddening -- at least 4 years of personal attacks on Kerry, his family, his dog and cat, etc., etc., and I'm supposed to be happy? Where the fuck were you the last 3 1/2 years, you bastards?

Now, where's my passport?