2008 Woodie Awards
Our View
Your right to know
Issue date: 3/16/06 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
This week marks the second annual Sunshine Week which began March of 2005.
Sunshine Week focuses on the importance of open operations by the government. Sunshine laws, appropriately named for supposedly being in the open, are one example of these operations.
Traditionally, magazines, newspapers and other media outlets run editorials, feature stories and cartoons that drive public discussion about why everyone, not just journalists, benefits from an open government.
"An alarming amount of public information is being kept secret from citizens, and the problem is increasing by the month," said Andy Alexander, chairman of the American Society of Newspaper Editors' Freedom of Information Committee. "Not only do citizens have a right to know, they have a need to know."
In 2005, over 730 participants produced thousands of articles in recognition of Sunshine Week. The participants consisted of media companies, open government and First Amendment advocates, civil groups, educators and students.
Sunshine Week, previously Sunshine Sunday, originated after the terrorist attacks against the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. It was developed in direct response to moves by the state legislature to severely restrict public information after the attacks.
Because of the growing public support and awareness of the Sunshine movement, the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors estimates 300 exemptions to open government law were defeated in legislative sessions in the first year alone.
Sunshine Week focuses on the importance of open operations by the government. Sunshine laws, appropriately named for supposedly being in the open, are one example of these operations.
Traditionally, magazines, newspapers and other media outlets run editorials, feature stories and cartoons that drive public discussion about why everyone, not just journalists, benefits from an open government.
"An alarming amount of public information is being kept secret from citizens, and the problem is increasing by the month," said Andy Alexander, chairman of the American Society of Newspaper Editors' Freedom of Information Committee. "Not only do citizens have a right to know, they have a need to know."
In 2005, over 730 participants produced thousands of articles in recognition of Sunshine Week. The participants consisted of media companies, open government and First Amendment advocates, civil groups, educators and students.
Sunshine Week, previously Sunshine Sunday, originated after the terrorist attacks against the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. It was developed in direct response to moves by the state legislature to severely restrict public information after the attacks.
Because of the growing public support and awareness of the Sunshine movement, the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors estimates 300 exemptions to open government law were defeated in legislative sessions in the first year alone.