Press freedom advocates warn that the recent FBI search of a journalist's home could silence whistleblowers & deter accountability reporting. We asked journalists @mirandaspivack.bsky.social and @newsguy.bsky.social for tips to protect sources in today’s political climate:

Can we get some journalists' attention to this? From Fiona Hill, former aide to John Bolton, in congressional testimony Nov. 9, 2019 Russia’s Quid Pro Quo Offer on Venezuela for Ukraine bit.ly/4sltxWp

We are hard at work promoting transparency in local government with more work ahead in the new year! Get in touch to schedule an information session with @dcogc.bsky.social on ways you and your community can work to open up information channels in the District!

Open government doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because people ask questions, demand answers, and stay engaged. Grateful for this community. 💙

An excellent organization if you help by becoming a new donor!

If you are looking for last-minute gifts, consider Backroom Deals in Our Backyards thenewpress.org/.../backroom...

Last chance to register for our free #JAWS webinar Wed: Safety Tips for Journalists. From ICE raids to protests, journalists are at risk in public more than ever. Our panel will offer solid advice on how to stay safe and action to take if you find yourself in danger. www.jaws.org/news/jaws-we...

Virginia friends and anyone wondering about data centers and secrecy, I am speaking tonight in Haymarket, Va. about #backroomdealsinourbackyards Open to the public. mailchi.mp/protectpwc/p...

I am excited for this book talk on the Maryland campus in College Park. Young people are our next best hope for insisting on government transparency and accountability. I have thus far been to Auburn, Berkeley, DePauw , Ohio State law school, and Syracuse. Would love more campus visits!

November book talks!

Join me at 6 p.m. PDT on Thursday at @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social to discuss #backroomdealsinourbackyards with @jenniferlafleur.bsky.social journalism.berkeley.edu/event/author...

Looking forward to an Ohio trifecta: Hudson Library on Tuesday, 10/7 at 6:30 p.m.; Joseph-Beth bookstore in Cincinnati 10/8 at 7 p.m. with @laurahancock.bsky.social and then onto OSU Law School on 10/9.

Step 1: Win transparency in one town Step 2: Build momentum statewide Step 3: Change how democracy works. Learn the real strategy in this week's episode with @mirandaspivack.bsky.social

REMEMBER: Any transparency we have today isn't guaranteed tomorrow; it requires citizens who stay alert and ask the hard questions. Join us with @mirandaspivack.bsky.social to learn how you can fight back for accountability! Tune in this week to get inspired: buff.ly/6Fqudam

Still time to sign up for my free! class on becoming a community watchdog. Special guest tonight is Diane Cotter who spearheaded move to get forever chemicals out of ffighter ppe. bit.ly/4nvfjPs

SF event at Commonwealth Club postoned to early 2026. A large protest was planned (unrelated to me or my book). In the meantime, pls buy #backroomdealsinourbackyards to prep for a great conversation next year with @facoalition.bsky.social 's David Snyder re government secrecy and how to overcome it!

Join Scott Williams and me tomorrow at Redeemer Church in Bethesda/Glen Echo to talk about #backroomdealsinourbackyards www.redeemerbethesda.org The Redeemer Book Series: A conversation with author Miranda Spivack Wednesday, Sep. 10, at 7pm 6201 Dunrobbin Drive, Bethesda, Md.

DMV friends come out on Tuesday to hear @joshkurtznews.bsky.social and me talk about state/local secrecy and corruption in a discussion about #backroomdealsinourbackyards at 6 p.m. at People's Book, 701A Westmoreland Ave., in Takoma Park. peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/backro...

My latest oped on combatting government secrecy and taking steps to protect democracy. @contrariannews.org contrarian.substack.com/p/artificial... @thenewpress.bsky.social

Mary C. Curtis's great podcast about #backroomdealsinourbackyards has also been featured as its story on @rollcall.com rollcall.com/.../when-sec... So you can read, listen, and then buy the book! Please support @bookshop.org or your favorite indie bookstore! #backroomdealsinourbackyards

Planning ahead! I will be at People's Book in Takoma Park, Md. 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9 speaking about #backroomdealsinourbackyards with @joshkurtznews.bsky.social peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/backro... The book has been endorsed by @raskin.house.gov for shining a light where others have not.

Philly friends: 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Pen and Pencil Club to talk about #backroomdealsinourbackyards www.penandpencil.org/content.aspx...

To understand how FOIA requests and public records can be used to fight government secrecy, we spoke to @foianate.bsky.social, @morisy.bsky.social, and @mirandaspivack.bsky.social.

I am excited to be part of this list of distinguished and interesting speakers! July 22 if you are in the Bay Area.

Can’t wait!

Thanks to Celia Wexler and DC Society of Professional Journalists for our talk about how to life the veil of government secrecy and #backroomdealsinourbackyards spjdc.org/2025/06/auth...

Can’t wait to chat with @morisy.bsky.social about government and corporate secrecy and how to fight back!

🔔 Join us for a conversation about using public records to push back on government secrecy, featuring @foianate.bsky.social, @morisy.bsky.social, @mirandaspivack.bsky.social, and FPF's Lauren Harper. 🗓️ June 24, 1 p.m. EDT/10 a.m. PDT RSVP: freedom.press/fight-gov-se...

Great talk about #backroomdealsinourbackyards at Tidepool Bookshop in Worcester, Mass. Firefighters came out to hear accidental activist Diane Cotter, who is featured in my book.

In the Boston area tomorrow (6/11) talking about #backroomdealsinourbackyards at the refurbished news kiosk in Harvard Square, 5:30 p.m. binj.news/2025/06/02/b... Come on by!

The National Press Club's broadcast team did a podcast about my book #backroomdealsinourbackyards. Take a listen: www.press.org/newsroom/fig...

On to New England for #backroomdealsinourbackyards 5:30 p.m. Wed. June 11 Newspaper Kiosk: Harvard Square, with Chris Faraone, Boston Institute of Nonprofit Journalism 7 p.m. Thurs, June 12, Tidepool Bookshop, 372 Chandler St., Worcester

Now please report on the state’s health data hack at the end of Larry Hogan’s admin. We still are In the dark.

Great conversation about #backroomdealsinourbackyards on @the1a.org You can listen here: the1a.org/segments/loc...

A great event @redemmas.org Bookstore Coffeehouse in Baltimore tonight! Tomorrow tune into your NPR station. I will be on @the1a.org discussing my book. In the DMV and Baltimore it's live at 10 a.m. It ialso will be archived on the the1a.org

Oklahoma is far from alone in promoting secrecy instead of transparency. Read about how accidental activists, who did not seek the role, overcome state/local secrecy in their communities & make positive change. #backroomdealsinourbackyards @thenewpress.bsky.social www.mirandaspivack.com/book

Here's a preview of the audio book of hashtag#backroomdealsinourbackyards! All platforms all the time! Please get the book one way or another. Ebook, print book, audiobook www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LOI... @thenewpress.bsky.social

Baltimore/Howard/Carroll/Baltimore County friends! Book talk 7 pm Tuesday in Baltimore @redemmas.org @thenewpress.bsky.social with Jaisal Noor 3128 Greenmount Ave. Baltimore, MD 21218 redemmas.org/events/miran...

Enjoy this #Quicktake with @mirandaspivack.bsky.social and the secrets local governments keep!

Can We Get Our Government Listen to Us? | Michael's Quick Take @michaelsteele.bsky.social @thenewpress.bsky.social Michael Steele speaks with journalist Miranda Spivack about her new book, "Backroom Deals in Our Backyards: How Government Secrecy Harms Our Communities and ...

Can we get our government to listen to us? @michaelsteele.bsky.social speaks w/ @mirandaspivack.bsky.social about what goes into getting our local government to help us. #QuickTake 🎧 pod.fo/e/2d3715 📺 www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsDR...

It's Publication Day for #BackroomDealsinOurBackyards ! If you are in the DMV, come to @politicsprose.bsky.social at 5 p.m. Saturday where I will be in conversation with former WaPo exec ed Len Downie. politics-prose.com/miranda-spiv... Other events around the country: www.mirandaspivack.com/events

Book publication date is Tuesday! #backroomdealsinourbackyards. First book talk is Saturday, May 10

New episode. @mirandaspivack.bsky.social @thenewpress.bsky.social #governance #publicinformation #FOIA #mpia Music by Catscan! linktr.ee/ihppod @sunildasgupta.bsky.social

If you are in the DC area, come to Politics and Prose at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 for the launch of Backroom Deals in Our Backyards! I will be in conversation with Len Downie, former exec editor of The Washington Post. politics-prose.com/miranda-spiv... @thenewpress.bsky.social @dcogc.bsky.social

Small victory for #transparency: A federal judge ruled that Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics is entitled to expedited discovery in lawsuit v DOGE brought under the Freedom of Information Act & Federal Records Act. DOGE argues it is not an agency subject to FOIA or FRA. bit.ly/3RTv5po