Link of the Week: Feb 18 - 24
Undisclosed Legislation Threatens Freedom of Information

The Center for Public Integrity has posted a previously undisclosed draft of legislation which, if passed, would further decrease the public’s right to privacy and right-to-know. This legislation, and a Special Report explaining more about it, are posted on the organization’s website. As the article states, the “Bush Administration is preparing a bold, comprehensive sequel to the USA Patriot Act passed in the wake of September 11, 2001, which will give the government broad, sweeping new powers to increase domestic intelligence-gathering, surveillance and law enforcement prerogatives, and simultaneously decrease judicial review and public access to information.” Thank you to Nelda Holder for suggesting this Link of the Week.

Link/Article of the Week Archives
For your convenience, we've begun archiving past weeks' featured links and articles.

"Nonprofits Online"
Information is posted regarding this free workshop, back by popular demand! The next workshop is in Waynesville, NC, on Friday, March 28. Please contact us to register (instructions are on the 'free workshop' page). You can also take a tour of our workshop links page.

Asheville's New RTD2 Page Posted
FIRE is teaming up with other WNC nonprofit organizations, media, businesses and individuals to bring the Rolling Thunder Democracy Tour (RTD2) to the region on May 3, 2003.

The Missing Link
Have any suggestions for us regarding next week’s link? Or is there information you seek, but you can’t find a helpful link? Let us know! If others would benefit from the information, we just may track down a link for you, or use your suggestion as Link of the Week.

<<<<<<Hey, What's That?
Glad you asked! That box on the left border of the page is a new way to keep up with FIRE. Type in your e-mail, hit subscribe, and we'll do the rest! You'll get occasional updates from us about new workshops, links and assorted FIRE services. We won't barrage you with e-mails or distribute your e-mail address. Please sign up today.

2003 CAR Conference in NC: IRE has also announced that the Annual Computer-Assisted Reporting Conference will be held on March 14-16, 2003 in Charlotte, N.C. The event features panels by the best in the business on every beat and topic including Census, crime, education, local and state government, freedom of information and transportation. Hands-on classes will be offered featuring spreadsheets, database managers, mapping, statistics and the latest in cutting-edge technology. IRE sponsors the event along with the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting (NICAR). This year's event is hosted by The Charlotte Observer and NBC News. See IRE's site for more details and registration information.

Help Put a Local Paper on the Web!: If you have some spare time to give to a good cause, we could use your help! Please visit our new volunteer opportunities page.

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Welcome to FIRE, a non-profit organization which provides community media resources to the Appalachian region. You can use the search box on this page to search our online archive of media outlets throughout the area. If you are a local journalist (or want to be), visit the "Resources for Journalists" section. You'll find resources that will improve your community reporting skills and will enable area residents to easily locate your published articles online.

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