National Sunshine Week fell from March 16^th –21^st this year. The event is a nonpartisan effort to spotlight the importance of “sunshine” laws. It is largely a media event that works to consolidate coverage around these topics, provide public education, and uplift support around government transparency efforts, like Freedom of Information (FOI). Many news outlets reported on the history and importance of Sunshine laws, while others published features on government activities, and some used the week as a launching point to call for legislation to increase government transparency.  

The Public Cares About Transparency

From Florida to California, news outlets beat this drum, relaying how much the public cares about transparency in government.  

The University of Florida’s Brechner Project and Center for Public Interest Communications released a survey cataloging public perception around the Freedom of Information Act. They polled a thousand adults on their “beliefs, attitudes, and experiences with freedom of information.” They found that while the majority of American support Freedom of Information, very few have actually exercised it.  

• 90.6% of respondents say they support access to public information  

• 91.9% have never filed a FOI requests

They also investigated how attitudes around FOI shifted based on political ideology. They found that overall support isn’t impacted by political ideology, but the motivation behind supporting FOI varies across political lines. Liberal-leaning respondents connect FOI to its role in maintaining a functioning democracy and protection against authoritarianism, while conservative-leaning respondents see it as a defense against government censorship and bias.

Read more on the report here.  

In California, Humboldt County celebrated the journalist working hard to hold governments accountable and transparent with a Sunshine Week awards event. They handed out recognition to local photojournalists, investigative reporters, and young newcomers who are making outstanding contributions to the field. The room rang with award winners and speakers emphasizing the essential role journalism plays in the fight for government transparency.  

In Washington D.C., the Muckrock Foundation, a nonprofit collaborative news site that provides tools and education to simplify the record request process, co-hosted Sunshine Fest, an in-person forum to find solutions to the pressing problems in FOI across all disciplines. The event sold out, but Muckrock expanded access beyond the conference halls hosting webinars, providing social media engagement, and offering digital resources.  

Behind the Curtain

All year long journalists provide insight into what is actually going on in public office. Sunshine Week was no exception.  

The Concord Monitor, a New Hampshire publication, released a feature on the role and compensation of local government employees. The piece provided insight into the day-to-day responsibility and impact of Town Administrators across the state. The piece highlights the ways local government employees go the extra mile to ensure the health of their community — shoveling sidewalks, waking up early to open the trash collection center, moderating town meetings, and more. The piece also spotlights how employees are paid for these efforts and how they compare to the median household income of the communities they serve.  

A Rally For Public Records  

Perhaps the most inspiring part of Sunshine Week is the way it's used to garner support for increased government transparency efforts.  

On the senate floor, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced bipartisan legislation expanding whistleblower protections “for duty speech disclosures and executive agency employees of government corporations.” On the floor he went on to say, “Too often, whistleblowers are treated like skunks at a picnic when they ought to be commended for their bravery. It ought to be easier – not harder – for whistleblowers to report misconduct, especially to Congress,” he stated. “Whistleblowers must be protected from retaliation and fully informed of their rights.” This legislation would help shed light on government misconduct; a practice essential to upholding the transparency Sunshine Week is after.  

Senator Grassley even took pen to paper and doubled down on his proclamations by authoring an opinion piece in the Clinton Herald, stating that “whistleblowers are beacons of light who hold truth to power. They shine light on government that government won’t shine on itself.” He continued, “When the public perceives the federal government is shielding information, the embers of suspicion and mistrust can become rampant conspiracy theories. My work to let the sun shine in on the people’s business is rooted in a fundamental principle. Transparency brings accountability.”

The Massachusetts Student Public Interest Research Group (MASSPIRG) renewed their call for the passage of An Act to Modernize Participation in Public Meetings (HB 4831), filed by Rep. Tony Cabral, of New Bedford, which would ensure that constituents could attend and participate in government meetings, increasing accessibility around civic engagements.  

South Dakota reporters called for increased transparency in public education. They are pushing for transparency from school boards on their negotiations with teachers on salaries.  

What Happens Next?

Across the star-spangled states, the public pushed for increased access to public records and overall open government. Transparency is something the public wants badly, but often something strained government agencies can’t meet. Logikcull helps lessen that gap by streamlining record request workflows.  

Learn more about Logikcull today and keep sunshine in the forecast.