2011: For the Public

Sunshine Week protects access to government files

Sunshine Week is a nonpartisan, national effort that spotlights the importance of a free flow of information and shines light on government attempts to work in the shadows.

Some details:

— This year, Sunshine Week is being observed from March 13 through March 19. Many newspapers, broadcast outlets, Internet operations and other elements of the media will be reporting on government attempts to block the public's right to know — and the steps taken to counter those moves.

— At the same time, civic, academic and other non-media groups will be discussing their interests in making sure that access to government records is protected.

— The initiative began nine years ago with Sunshine Sunday in Florida, organized by the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors and the First Amendment Foundation. It came in response to legislative efforts to thwart open government through dozens of proposed exemptions to the state's Government in the Sunshine Law, one of the nation's strongest affirmations of the freedom of public information.

— Sunshine Sunday swiftly spread to other states and eventually across the nation.

— In 2005, supported by grants from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the American Society of Newspaper Editors expanded the concept and launched Sunshine Week.


2011 Sunshine Week: AP reporters look at state governments

FLORIDA
Fla. governments improve in public records audit


IOWA
Secrecy concerns for Iowa gov.'s jobs partnership


SOUTH DAKOTA
Parts of SD budget process behind closed doors


ARKANSAS
Arkansas balances its budget behind closed doors


VERMONT
In Vermont, a push to reduce cost of access


RHODE ISLAND
RI legislative grant system criticized as not open


MASSACHUSETTS
Mass. lawmakers still exempt from open meeting law


PENNSYLVANIA
Pa. Legislature's cash surplus bound by few rules


INDIANA
Ind. spending cut details not available on site


OKLAHOMA
Okla. lawmakers push for more government openness


NORTH CAROLINA
NC GOP legislators promise more transparency


CALIFORNIA
'Big 5' meetings foster secret Calif. budget deals

LOUISIANA
Jindal campaign, book travel costs taxpayers

2010 2009 2008 2007 2006

SUNSHINE WEEK 2011