Sunshine Week

Public Online Information Act

SunshineWeek.org — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 22:15:28 GMT

A vitaminDC video from the Sunlight Foundation for Sunshine Week 2010

Sunshine over Washington

SunshineWeek.org — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:03:40 GMT

Eric Newton, Knight Foundation vice president, blogs on the just released Knight Open Government Survey (PDF) and on Sunshine Week. The survey, by George Washington University's National Security Archive found that only 13 of 90 surveyed federal agencies have made any concrete changes to their Freedom of Information practices even though the president directed them to do so a year ago.

President Obama issues statement on Sunshine Week

SunshineWeek.org — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:05:02 GMT

"As Sunshine Week begins, I want to applaud everyone who has worked to increase transparency in government and recommit my administration to be the most open and transparent ever, an effort that will strengthen our democracy and ensure the public's trust in their government," said President Obama today, in a statement that also trumpeted his administration's achievements on the open government front. Special Counsel Norm Eisen also issued a Sunshine Week statement that included details about the "many areas where (the Obama administration has) opened government up and let the sunshine in.

ASNE names Sunshine Week Local Heroes

SunshineWeek.org — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:01:01 GMT

Citizens from Florida, New Jersey and Virginia have been selected as winners of the 2010 Sunshine Week Local Heroes contest.

Scripps Poll - Government Secrecy is as Strong as Ever

SunshineWeek.org — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:07:11 GMT

Public cynicism that the federal government operates in an atmosphere of secrecy is as strong as ever, despite President Barack Obama's promises to make government information more easily available to the public.

A new survey of 1,001 adult residents of the United States found that 70 percent believe that the federal government is either “very secretive” or “somewhat secretive.” The largest portion of respondents, 44 percent, said it is “very secretive.”

48 ‘Local Heroes’ nominated for Sunshine Week award

SunshineWeek.org — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:05:48 GMT

The nominees represent a broad cross-section of citizens, journalists, lawyers and elected officials. Judging the entries will be Pete Weitzel, formerly with the Coalition of Journalists for Open Government, and a retired ASNE member; Lucy Dalglish, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press; Charles Davis, National Freedom of Information Coalition; Andy Alexander, The Washington Post and ASNE FOI Committee Co-Chair; and Dorothy Brizill, DCWatch. The winners will be announced Monday, March 15.

Covering open government wins awards

SunshineWeek.org — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:31:30 GMT

From a small paper in Glens Falls, N.Y., comes the powerful voice of Editorial Page Editor Mark Mahoney. His “relentless, down-to-earth editorials on the perils of local government secrecy," won a 2009 Pulitzer Prize. Read his winning entries from The Post-Star.

Sunshine Week contest to honor ‘Local Heroes’ of open government

SunshineWeek.org — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:56:55 GMT

The first-place winner will receive an all-expense paid trip in April to Washington, D.C., to be honored at the 2010 ASNE convention. The second- and third-place winners will receive $500 and $250, respectively.

Nominate someone in your area who made a difference last year fighting to make your public institutions more open and accessible.

Sunshine Week 2010 to honor local heroes

SunshineWeek.org — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:46:05 GMT

“There are a lot of unsung heroes in the battle for freedom of information, and we plan to use next year’s Sunshine Week to bring attention to those who have fought tirelessly for open government,” said ASNE President Marty Kaiser.