Across North Carolina, 40 candidates for public office were asked 11 questions about their positions on government openness by reporters from The News & Observer in Raleigh, The Charlotte Observer, The News & Record in Greensboro, The Winston-Salem Journal and the Wilson Daily Times. The survey, produced for the North Carolina Open Government Coalition based at Elon University's School of Communications, was among the materials available for anyone to use during Sunshine Week.

"Open government is one issue that voters should consider, and it is vital," said Steve Riley, senior editor for enterprise for The News & Observer and North Carolina Sunshine Week coordinator, in the report. "These interviews are part of an effort to help the public understand the importance of having easy access to government records and meetings."

Among the findings was that more than 70 percent of candidates favor a change in state law that would require government agencies found to have illegally withheld public records to pay the legal fees of requestors. In addition, two-thirds believe finalists for major state and university positions should be public, and a similar percentage said the state's laws were clear regarding the open government responsibilities of public officials.

The News & Observer presented the survey results alongside opinion columns explaining the importance of open government to the public and the press. Throughout the week, the paper charted the findings for governor; lieutenant governor; labor commissioner; state auditor; insurance commissioner; and superintendent of public instruction.

The News & Observer's Sunshine Week package also included news about a new guide to open government and public records produced by the N.C. Press Association and the state attorney general.