Sunshine Week promotes government transparenccy

MARCH 11, 2024 — Sunshine Week begins today and runs through March 16. It is a national nonpartisan effort to shine a light on the value of open government and access to public records and meetings. Participating programs come from journalists, civic and government organizations and others who want to raise awareness of access issues.

Sponsors for the 2024 observation include the Brechner Freedom of Information Project, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Radio Television Digital News Association, Muckrock and other partners.

Sunshine Week takes place every year during the week that includes March 16, because that is the birthday of the fourth U.S. President James Madison, who proposed the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

WashCOG President Mike Fancher and Secretary George Erb discussed Sunshine Week, legislative privilege, and WashCOG’s recently-released Right to Know Report on KBTC’s Northwest Now show on Friday, March 8, 2024.