From Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press:
Washington, D.C. — Sunshine Week 2012, March 11-17, will encourage access to government information, urging both the public and public officials to “Put More Sunshine in Government.”
This year, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press is co-sponsoring the project with the American Society of News Editors, which launched the nationwide initiative in 2005 with a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Sunshine Week is a non-partisan, non-profit national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Participants have included news media, civic groups, libraries, nonprofit organizations, schools and individuals concerned about the public's right to know.
The eighth annual Sunshine Week will again recognize “Local Heroes,” individuals who have fought for transparency or used government information to improve their communities. To view the stories of past winners and make nominations for 2012, go to the Sunshine Week website, www.sunshineweek.org.
“The free flow of information is critical to a democracy and to the public’s understanding of how government really works,” said Ken Paulson, ASNE president and CEO of the First Amendment Center. “Sunshine Week drives home the need for both press and public to fight for open government.”
“We’ve been strong supporters of Sunshine Week since the initiative began, and we look forward to working closely with ASNE, the partner organizations and individual participants across the country,” said Reporters Committee Executive Director Lucy A. Dalglish. “The Reporters Committee has a long commitment to government transparency. Sunshine Week is a great way to expand our efforts to promote access to information.”