By Anne Godlasky, National Press Foundation
Sunshine Week 2024 will highlight the necessity of open government March 10-16, culminating in National Freedom of Information Day. The National Press Foundation joins with other journalism and civic organizations in calling for government transparency and supporting the public’s right to information.
“It is often said that ‘transparency is the bedrock of democracy’ because it is our ability to obtain information about our leaders and directly participate in our own governance — be it at the local, state or federal level — that allows our society to function,” writes NPF Secretary and Freedom Forum’s First Amendment specialist Kevin Goldberg.
The Freedom of Information Act has enabled the public to request access to records from any federal agency since 1967 – and many FOIA requests are filed by journalists who report that information to the public. While #FOIA posts about redacted files and years-long waits can be intimidating, journalists have shared their tricks for getting through the mire:
– New York Times investigative reporter and Paul Miller alumnus Mark Walker explains do’s and don’ts, records retention schedules and five records requests every crime reporter should file.
– Brad Heath of Reuters shares why he files one to two FOIAs a day – plus, how to use PACER for good measure.
– NPR producer Huo Jingnan reminds fellow journalists not to reinvent the wheel.
– And Anne Weismann, chief FOIA counsel for the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, and Alison Young of the Missouri School of Journalism, emphasize understanding the nine FOIA exemptions.
If you’d like to tune in to live events this week, the following are free and open (all times ET):
- March 11, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. U.S. Department of Justice Sunshine Week FOIA Awards ceremony at justice.gov/live.
- March 14, 1 p.m. The National Archives‘ “Artificial Intelligence: The Intersection of Public Access and Open Government” panel discussion on YouTube livestream
- March 14, 2:30-3:30 p.m. IRE webinar “25 records to request right now”
- March 15, 12-12:45 p.m. National Press Club Journalism Institute‘s “Steps to take when your FOIA requests are denied” webinar.
Established organizations, such as the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, the National Freedom of Information Coalition and the Society for Professional Journalists provide useful toolkits, including FOIAWiki. Newer resources include Bloomberg’s newsletter FOIA Files with Jason Leopold and The Washington Post’s Revealing Records column by FOIA director Nate Jones.
Sunshine Week is funded in part through an endowment from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, as well as by the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. More information and ideas of how you can mark the week can be found at sunshineweek.org.
