Miranda Spivack talks about her new book “Backroom Deals in Our Backyards: How Government Secrecy Harms Our Communities and the Local Heroes Fighting Back” (The New Press).
Spivack, an SPJ DC Pro Chapter member, said her book explores how government secrecy harms communities. She profiled five individuals who successfully fought against government information blocks to address serious local issues.
In getting access to government documents, Spivack emphasized the importance of patience, listening, and long-term relationships in investigative reporting. She said she had spent several years building trust with sources before completing her book in 2023.
Spivack noted that most people will not have any interactions with federal agencies but are affected every day by local and state agencies. Access to information about what those local and state agencies are doing is important. She said the decline in local journalism means more people have to step up and take action to find out what is happening in their areas.
The book is available at Bookshop.org.