First Amendment News

Deferring to the military, the Federal Aviation Administration will not release the recording for the crash of a Marine Corps airplane that killed four until Feb. 27 when the Corp finishes their investigation. News agencies are seeking the recording to determine why the crippled jet flew over a densely populated area rather than to an alternate landing site over the ocean. -DB

The ACLU and CREW have asked the Obama administration for the release of documents including Office of Legal Counsel opinions and White House e-mail. Groups sued the Bush administration to gain access to these and other documents. -DB Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press Jan. 28, 2009 By Hannah Bergman WASHINGTON, D.C. – At least two groups are asking the Obama administration to reconsider its stance on pending Freedom of Information Act lawsuits. The

The new Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is putting up on the Internet all contracts with banks that received bailout money. This reverses Bush administration policy to shield the contracts from public view. -DB Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press January 28, 2009 By Hannah Bergman WASHINGTON. D.C. – In an abrupt turnaround from Bush administration policy, the Treasury Department has released details of its contracts with banks that received government money as part of

Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio is introducing a law to use the Web to make sure government agencies buy U.S. products when possible. The law is designed to help boost America out of recession. -DB Federal Computer Week Jan 28, 2009 By Matthew Weigelt The government should use the Web to track agencies’ waivers from the requirements of the Buy America Act, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said today. The waiver process, through which an