SPJ national update VI: It's a climate-controlled White House; and spy agencies say Iraq war worsens threat. The administration's claim that it wasn't telling scientists what to say about climate change apparently is false. A large batch of e-mails obtained through an FOI Act request shows that the White House was, in fact, controlling access to scientists and vetting reporters. There were several press reports in February about the administration exercising message control on the subject of climate change. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientist Thomas Knutson said he'd been barred from speaking to CNBC because his research suggested a link between more-intense hurricanes and global warming. More here. ... A stark assessment of terrorism trends by American intelligence agencies finds that the American invasion and occupation of Iraq spawned a new generation of Islamic radicalism and that the overall terrorist threat has grown since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. This is the first formal appraisal of global terrorism by U.S. intelligence agencies since the Iraq war began and represents a consensus of the 16 disparate spy services inside the government. More here and here.
-----
The Right to Privacy vs. the Right to Know
by Susan Tallant
Technology has created a new kind of battle for citizens, and in Texas the conflict has reached the Supreme Court, members and guests of Fort Worth SPJ learned at the September meeting.
In response to questions by panel moderator Tom Williams -- to what extent should paper records be maintained electronically, and can anyone get these records? -- Tarrant County District Clerk Tom Wilder said he and his counterparts statewide are on the front lines of "a very serious issue."
"This is starting to get more publicity, and it should," he said. "We're all waiting to see what the [Texas] Supreme Court is going to do."
Wilder said the Legislature has been inundated with complaints about people using court records to steal identities and that the Texas Supreme Court can actually mandate access to records and override judges' control.
"What you're going to see is an attempt to standardize access to court records," he said.
Wilder said that if a record is open at the courthouse, it should be open on the internet. But to stave off identity theft and the casual snoop, he requires an application and subscriber agreement. The $35 per month allows access to only one case at a time and includes free copies.
Dallas County Clerk Cynthia Figueroa Calhoun takes a different approach -- all access, all the time, no user screening. "My biggest priority was real estate records," she said. "We digitized records and put them online."
All Dallas County real estate images from 1974 forward are online. Indexes from 1964 are also accessible. "I know we are providing a tremendous service to the average citizen," she said. "We get 1,500 to 2,000 hits a day."
Calhoun said she understands that identity theft is a possibility but that it has never happened with records under her control.
She said it is too difficult for some people to visit the courthouse for a record. "Those people should have the same access as those who can come down and get it," she said.
Internet access allows the Dallas County documents to be printed from home and saves taxpayers $4.5 million plus $100,000 annually in postage, Calhoun said. "We are determined to keep that information up online, keep it free and keep it accessible to everyone."
===================================================
PEOPLE & PLACES
Cathy O'Neal has joined the Arlington YMCA as a grant writer and donor communications specialist. Since leaving the Girl Scouts two years ago, she has done "anything for a buck," she says, writing all kinds of things for all kinds of clients. She also is an adjunct in the UTA communication department. ...
The Henry House Foundation has enlisted the Balcom Agency to create brand identity and communications materials for the newly formed nonprofit. Started by PGA golfer J.J. Henry, the foundation will support community-based programs addressing the well-being of children. It will fund projects initiated by children's medical and support services and organizations in Fort Worth and southern New England. Henry achieved his first PGA Tour career win in his home state at the 2006 Buick Championship and was on the 2006 U.S. Ryder Cup team. He and his wife, Lee, are graduates of TCU.
===================================================
GET A JOB
The Paladin staffing agency has a full-time opportunity for a copywriter, preferably with 2-7 years promotions experience, in downtown Dallas. E- Antje Spethmann at antje@paladinstaff.com.
===================================================
NEW MEMBERS
PRSA ... Christina Aguilar, Fort Worth ISD ... Jennifer Engstrand, Texas Ballet Theater ... Holly Gambrell, Tarrant County Medical Society ... Kathleen Golden, Alcon Labs ... Barbara Griffith, Fort Worth ISD ... Bill McCoy, Hill & Co.
===================================================
COMINGS & GOINGS
Additions ... at the S-T: Amherst College magna cum laude grad Matthew Erikson, classical music critic
====================================================
