Sunshine Week Promotes Dialogue About the Importance of Open Government
 |
| Sunshine Week is sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Bloomberg LP, the American Society of News Editors and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press |
Sacramento Family Court News is participating in Sunshine Week 2013, a non-partisan, non-profit initiative celebrated annually in mid-March to coincide with James Madison's birthday on March 16. This year, Sunshine Week takes places from March 10-16. Sunshine Week is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information.
Participants include news media, civic groups, libraries, nonprofits, schools and others interested in the public's right to know, according to the Sunshine Week website. For the list of Sunshine Week participants, click here. Many Sacramento Family Court News articles are based on information obtained from public records. Without public records laws, much of our most important reporting would not be possible.
Participants include news media, civic groups, libraries, nonprofits, schools and others interested in the public's right to know, according to the Sunshine Week website. For the list of Sunshine Week participants, click here. Many Sacramento Family Court News articles are based on information obtained from public records. Without public records laws, much of our most important reporting would not be possible.
To continue reading, click "Read more >>" below.
Local Open Government Group Offers Free How-To Guide
 |
| Californians Aware is a statewide open government group based in Carmichael. |
In celebration of Sunshine Week, Californians Aware, a non-profit, open government advocacy organization based in Carmichael is offering - without charge through April 15 - its newly published open government guide Citizen Watchdog. The Citizen Watchdog is a how-to publication about open government rights and watchdog tactics, and includes a primer on what the state's transparency laws say and how to use them confidently and effectively. The 50-page guide is written by CalAware General Counsel Terry Francke.
For 31 years, Francke has helped journalists, citizens and public officials understand and use their First Amendment and open government rights. Click here for instructions on how to obtain a copy of Citizen Watchdog.
The First Amendment Coalition provides a video about the California Public Records Act. The CPRA is the Freedom of Information law for California.
For 31 years, Francke has helped journalists, citizens and public officials understand and use their First Amendment and open government rights. Click here for instructions on how to obtain a copy of Citizen Watchdog.
The First Amendment Coalition provides a video about the California Public Records Act. The CPRA is the Freedom of Information law for California.
White House Celebrates Sunshine Week
In the spirit of Sunshine Week, the White House will highlight one initiative a day which demonstrates the Obama Administration's continued commitment to open and accessible government, according to the White House Blog. On his first full day in office, President Barack Obama issued a Memorandum on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), stating "A democracy requires accountability, and accountability requires transparency." The FOIA - which provides the public with a statutory right to request and receive information from the federal government - is a key way in which government transparency is realized.
Support California Open Government Organizations
Sacramento Family Court News supports the First Amendment Coalition, Californians Aware, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. We encourage our readers to support open government advocacy by making a donation to one or more of these groups.- First Amendment Coalition: click here.
- Californians Aware: click here.
- Electronic Frontier Foundation: click here.
No comments:
Post a Comment