I, Reporter

Help Uncover the FOIA Secret-Hold Senator

U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (on left) and John Cornyn (on right) sponsored the Open Government Act -- but which of their colleagues secretly stalled it?

(UPDATE MAY 31: The Secret Hold Senator has been found!...)

Here's a classic case where citizen journalists can join forces with professional journalists to collaborate on an important national investigation.

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) has learned that an as-yet-unknown US Senator has placed a "secret hold" on the Open Government Act -- a bill that would strengthen the federal Freedom of Information Act. (S849, sponsored by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-VT; and Sen. John Cornyn, R-TX. More commentary on this bill from SPJ. More about secret holds.)

Why should citizen journalists care about this, and get involved?...

Who What When Where Why How?

Journalism is mainly a state of mind. Specifically, journalists are always asking questions -- even just mentally. They walk through life with an attitude of deliberate yet natural curiousity.

Here's an example...