News & Opinion

Editor and Publisher asks whether Barack Obama’s presidency will be accessible and whether reporters will hold the administration to answer for its policies and practices. See what major news organizations have to say: Top News Outlets Assemble New Teams In Washington — Barack Biting to Begin Soon? By Joe Strupp Published: November 26, 2008 10:33 AM ET NEW YORK So what can we expect from the White House press corps in the era of Obama?

In an op-ed essay in the San Francisco Chronicle, a student at Acalanes High School in Lafayette asserts that the promotion of diversity must be accompanied by tolerance for free speech, controversial or otherwise. Torching free speech in the name of tolerance David McDiarmid Tuesday, November 25, 2008 “Degrading, racial, ethnic, homophobic, sexist or other hateful remarks ARE NOT acceptable here” – from a sign posted in every Acalanes High School classroom. Acalanes High School

The Recorder newspaper in San Francisco reports that federal district courts in California, in apparent violation of First Amendment standards and the courts’ own rules, routinely sign off on on parties’ joint requests to seal records without requesting, or making findings concerning, the justification for cutting off public access. When both parties’ lawyers stipulate to the sealing, and no one is present to represent the interests of the press or public in open access, overworked

The Federal Register creates an “electronic public inspection desk” providing the public with direct online access to regulatory documents related to an array of subjects, including health, business and safety. Current postings, for example, relate to crib safety rules, airworthiness directives, and final FDIC rules on programs intended to soften the impact of the nation’s financial crisis. PRESS RELEASE Federal Register Announces Launch of New Electronic Public Inspection Desk Last update: 1:46 p.m. EST Nov.