Sunshine Week

Secrecy on the March: Making the Case for Sunshine Week

Approaching its 40th birthday, the Freedom of Information Act is looking more than a little worn around the edges. In fact, what it needs is a week of good, solid sunshine, and Sunshine Week 2006, March 12-18, is just the ticket.

The current administration has been characterized by open government observers—both conservatives and liberals—as one of the most secretive in recent history; a stance adopted even before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Sunshine Week is not about journalists, it's about the public and the importance   of protecting and promoting open government. Sunshine Week is not about protecting   journalists' rights, it's about the right of all citizens to know what their   government is doing—and why.

Sunshine Week 2005 proved that developing a critical mass of discussion about the importance of open government can move the needle a little. Sunshine Week 2006 is off to a fantastic start, but the sunlight at the end of the tunnel remains a long way off.

Read more here about government secrecy and Sunshine Week.

Hodding Carter III Is Sunshine Week 2006 Honorary Chairman

Hodding Carter III—an award-winning print and broadcast journalist, former State Department spokesman, and past president of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation—has joined the Sunshine Week national open government initiative as honorary chairman for 2006.

During Sunshine Week 2006, March 12-18, media organizations, civic groups, libraries, schools, non-profit organizations and others nationwide will participate in coverage of and discussions about the importance of protecting public access to government.

"Sunshine Week aims to empower the American people by demanding that government open its doors and allow a free flow of news and information—and I'm proud to be part of it," said Carter, now professor of leadership and public policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "With the totalitarian model of all-powerful Big Brother in retreat around the world, this is no time to tolerate it here at home."

In his role as honorary chairman, Carter will serve as a national spokesman for the Sunshine Week initiative, which highlights the importance of preserving open government. In addition, Carter will serve as an adviser the national Sunshine Week Executive Committee and coordination staff.