March 15–21 was Sunshine Week in the United States. Sunshine Week is a week in which the press in the United States covers openness in government and freedom of information. News organizations on TV, in newspapers, and on the Internet discuss the Freedom of Information Act and other issues related to transparency in government.
Also in March, the South by Southwest Interactive Conference took place in Austin, Texas. The conference takes place annually, and focuses on new technology and how it is affecting the world. One of the topics at this year’s conference was openness in government.
The Freedom of Information Act was passed in 1966. It requires the executive branch to give information to members of the public when it is requested. There are exceptions to the rule, however. If the information requested could pose a threat to national security, or violates a person’s privacy, for example, then an agency can refuse to release the information.
After September 11, 2001, the Bush administration was criticized for being too secretive and for not releasing requested information. President Obama promised more transparency in government during his election campaign. His new Attorney General, Eric Holder, issued an order on March 19 instructing agencies to be more open about releasing information to the public.
The issue is an important one to the press. They believe that in order to properly inform the public, they must have access to information so that they know what is really going on in the inner workings of the government.
Related Links
- Lessons From Sunshine Week
Editorial by a reporter at the Shreveport Times that focuses on the role of the press, and how Sunshine Week helps to highlight the importance of transparency.
(Source: Shreveport Times, March 21, 2009) - Sunshine Week
Web site of the Sunshine Week event that discusses the issue of openness in government.
(Source: Sunshine Week, March, 2009) - ‘Era of Open Government’ Behind Information Policy Reversal
Attorney General Eric Holder has reversed a policy set by former Attorney General John Ashcroft that instructed agencies to withhold many records requested under the Freedom of Information Act.
(Source: CNN, March 20, 2009)
Critical Thinking Questions
- Summarize What is the Freedom of Information Act and why is it important?
- Causes and Effects What led the Bush Administration to issue an order making it more difficult to receive information under the Freedom of Information Act?
- Form and Support Opinions Do you think that transparency in government is important for the public good? Why or why not?