Today marks the beginning of #SunshineWeek - The Society of Professional Journalists is sponsoring several events.
Be on the lookout for an open government proclamation by the SPJ Freedom of Information Committee.
#OpenGovernment
Each year in March, thousands of Americans celebrate Sunshine Week—an initiative to promote open government and access to public information.
The American Society of News Editors, a nonprofit that promotes principled journalism and fights for freedom of information and open government, established Sunshine Week in 2005. The group wanted to start a dialogue on the importance of open and transparent government. Sunshine Week is an important reminder that government leaders and agencies are accountable to the American people, and they have a right to know what the government is doing and it is representing citizen interests.
Sunshine Week coincides with National Freedom of Information Day on March 16, on James Madison’s birthday. James Madison, the fourth president of the United States and author of the Bill of Rights, is known as the father of open government. You may recall, that Madison’s Bill of Rights gives Americans their First Amendment right to free speech and the press.
Who participates in Sunshine Week?
Journalists, reporters, media outlets, civic groups, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, schools, and promoters of open government all celebrate Sunshine Week.
Why is open and transparent government important?
Although we sometimes forget, government officials work for the American public, not the other way around. It’s the government’s job to represent the interests of Americans. Therefore, American citizens have a right to know what the government is doing so citizens can hold officials accountable when they are no longer serving their interests.
Without an open government, Americans would only have access to the activities and documents that government officials choose to share—giving Americans an incomplete picture of how the government is doing when it comes to representing constituents. A lack of transparency and openness can lead to government corruption and officials no longer putting the needs of Americans first.
Further, an open and transparent government can reestablish Americans’ trust in government agencies and officials. At a time when Americans’ faith in government is at an all-time low, rebuilding trust is needed more than ever.