Miranda Spivack mirandaspivack.com

I am excited to be part of this year's Tucson Festival of Books to talk about #backroomdealsinourbackyards and ways to preserve open government and democracy. If you are in the area, come on by!

How journalists can protect their sources amidst press freedom concerns - Journalism Institute On Wednesday, FBI agents searched the home of a Washington Post reporter during an investigation into the disclosure of classified information, sparking significant press freedom concerns across the i...

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:

www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/w...

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!

...This book celebrates the fighters, American democracy’s life-size heroes ...Bravo to Miranda Spivack for shining a positive light on the people determined to shine a positive light." And please, if you can, buy from an independent bookstore or bookshop.org

Congressman Jamie Raskin @raskin.house.gov aid about my book: “In Backroom Deals in our Backyards, Miranda Spivack shows that there’s no real democracy without accountability, no real accountability without government transparency and no real government transparency without a fight..

Backroom Deals in Our Backyards - The New Press Winner of the Studs and Ida Terkel Prize A groundbreaking look at how ordinary people are fighting back against their local and state governments to keep their communities safe, by an award-winning jo...

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

JAWS Webinar: Safety Tips for Journalists — JAWS FREE WEBINAR NOVEMBER 19: Stay safe out there! From ICE raids to protests, journalists are at risk in public these days more than ever. So how should you prepare before a public event? Our panel...

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...

6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, Eaton Theater in Knight Hall, UMD College Park Campus.

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!

Author Talk with Miranda Spivack: “Backroom Deals in Our Backyards" UC Berkeley Journalism offers a two-year Master of Journalism (MJ) degree and a summer minor, preparing students for careers in journalism.

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

How to Become a Local Government Watchdog — Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications Learn to track issues you care about, access information, get involved locally, build networks, and learn how to influence change through civic engagement. To register for class, please select the ...

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.

Miranda Spivack for Backroom Deals in Our Backyards A groundbreaking look at how ordinary people are fighting back against their local and state governments to keep their communities safe, by an award-winning journalist Most Americans are likely to …

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...

Artificial intelligence and government secrecy Done right, AI could help state and local governments become more open and transparent about how they are making decisions and using tax dollars.

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

Miranda Spivack for Backroom Deals in Our Backyards A groundbreaking look at how ordinary people are fighting back against their local and state governments to keep their communities safe, by an award-winning journalist Most Americans are likely to …

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...

Use public records to fight government secrecy, experts urge Public records systems may be far from perfect, but webinar panelists say that doesn’t mean we should lose hope for the revelations stashed within them

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!