Secrecy

Shut Up and Take Your Medicine

by Sheldon Rampton — March 4, 2009 - 1:49pm
Main Source: 
Associated Press, March 4, 2009

Freddie Mac Interrogates Itself

by Diane Farsetta — February 26, 2009 - 3:29pm

U.S. mortgage giant Freddie Mac, now under government control and receiving federal aid, is conducting an internal investigation into its $2 million "stealth lobbying campaign." Freddie Mac hired the Covington & Burling law firm to conduct the investigation, which is being headed by former Justice Department prosecutor Stephen Anthony.

Main Source: 
Associated Press, February 23, 2009

ProPublica Posts the Legal Memos Behind Bush's War on Terror

by John Stauber — January 28, 2009 - 9:46am

ProPublica notes that "the Bush administration's 'war on terror' -- including its controversial policies on detentions, interrogations and warrantless wiretapping -- were all underpinned by legal memoranda. While some of those memos have been released ...

Main Source: 
ProPublica, January 28, 2009

When Reform Meets Reality in Washington DC

by Diane Farsetta — January 22, 2009 - 3:31pm

On Day One, U.S. President Barack Obama signed two executive orders. One restored the presumption of disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, unless "forseeable harm" would result; made presidential records more accessible; and limited claims of executive privilege over information.

Main Source: 
The Hill (Washington DC), January 22, 2009

An Environmentally-Conscious, "Greener" Cigarette?

by Anne Landman — January 16, 2009 - 6:33pm

The Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, maker of the niche brand "American Spirit" cigarettes, is trying to lure environmentally conscious smokers with certified organic, pesticide-free tobacco.

Main Source: 
Plenty Magazine, January 14, 2009

After Pledge of Transparency, Treasury Department Blackens Out Contract

by Anne Landman — December 24, 2008 - 5:42pm

"Consistent with Congress' intent, we are committed to transparency and oversight in all aspects of the program," said Neel Kashkari, the U.S.

Main Source: 
ProPublica, Government and Politics, December 23, 2008

Corporations Bottle Up Their Water Conference

by Diane Farsetta — December 11, 2008 - 5:04pm

The "Corporate Water Footprinting" conference in San Francisco December 2 and 3 had a small public component: "a presentation by Nestle on assessing water-related risks in communities, Coca-Cola's aggressive environmental water-neutrality goal, and MillerCoors' plan to use less water to make more beer," reports Amanda Witherell.

Main Source: 
San Francisco Bay Guardian, December 10, 2008

Sneaky Manufacturers Shrink Packaging, While Keeping Prices the Same

by Anne Landman — November 17, 2008 - 4:32pm

Prices of your favorite grocery items are skyrocketing, but you probably don't know it.

Main Source: 
CBS5.com (KPIX, San Francisco), November 17, 2008

Counting Electronic Votes in Secret

by Sheldon Rampton — October 21, 2008 - 12:18pm

Professor Andrew Appel of the Center for Information Technology Policy (CITP) at Princeton University has released a previously-suppressed report finding that electronic voting machines in New Jersey make it easy to engage in undetectable election fraud.

Main Source: 
Freedom to Tinker, October 17, 2008

Documents Show Tobacco Industry Conspired Against Airline Smoking Ban

by Anne Landman — October 20, 2008 - 1:47pm

An analysis of tobacco industry documents published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) tells how the German cigarette industry worked to stop Lufthansa, the flagship airline of Germany, from banning smo

Main Source: 
British Medical Journal (sub req'd), October 1, 2008
Syndicate content

How the Debate on "Stand Your Ground" Fits the National Debate on Guns

See video

After Aiding Zimmerman's Case, ALEC-Backed "Stand Your Ground" Could Threaten a Civil Lawsuit

See video

Shoot-em-up Charlie Discovers ALEC

See video