Thursday, May 31, 2007

SPJ.org SPJ spearheaded an open quest to learn which US Senator is blocking a FOIA enhancement.

Today, AP reports that U.S. Senator John Kyl (R-AZ) admitted that he placed the "secret hold" that prevented a bill to strengthen the Freedom of Information Act from moving forward in the Senate.

The Society of Professional Journalists, citizen journalism advocates, and others have been checking with all U.S. Senators' offices trying to learn which Senator anonymously blocked the Open Government Act (S849).

Kyl plans to continue to oppose the Open Government Act. According to AP, Kyl "says the Justice Department is concerned that it could force them to reveal sensitive information. In a statement Thursday, Kyl said the agency's 'uncharacteristically strong' opposition is reason enough to think twice about the legislation, and he will block a vote until both sides can work out the differences."

That official statement does not currently appear on Kyl's site.

In a blog post today, SPJ president Christine Tatum notes, "Kyl is behind another bill that concerns SPJ. Known as the Kyl Amendment, it would criminalize the leaking -- and publishing -- of classified information." (That link includes the text of Kyl's proposed amendment to S236.)

It seems to me that efforts such as this present a great opportunity for professional and citizen journalists to collaborate on investigations. If practiced regularly, perhaps this type of public scrutiny might one day make the senatorial secret hold an endangered species. Well done to all who contributed to this effort to heighten government accountability!

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