About Sunshine Week
Sunshine Week is a national nonpartisan collaboration aimed at raising awareness about the importance of open government and public access to information. It takes place annually in mid-March, coinciding with the birthday of James Madison, the fourth President of the United States and a strong advocate for an informed citizenry. In 2024 Sunshine week is March 10-16th. Sunshine week shines the light on the importance of looking at dark and hidden areas, and exposing them to the light of day for everyone to see. Things that live in the dark, cold, and wet recesses of our world often rot, and fester and only by exposing them to the light can they be cleaned and renewed.
“Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants”
Louis Brandeis
Sunshine Week’s Goals
- Promote transparency and accountability within government agencies.
- Educate the public about their right to access government records.
- Encourage the use of Freedom of Information (FOI) laws to obtain public information.
How does Tax Project fit in with Sunshine Week?
The Tax Project believes firmly behind the ideals of Sunshine Week: Transparency, Open Government, and that citizens have the right and need to stay informed and be educated into what the Government does on our behalf. The Tax Project Institute’s Mission is to provide transparency to Citizens with respect to where their taxes are spent, and what they contributed. Every American has the right to know these basics. It is our strong belief that transparent, clear, and open information creates a more informed Citizenry which in turn results in a stronger, safer, and more prosperous America.
How did it come about?
Sunshine Sunday began in Florida in 2002, led by the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors. National Sunshine Week was launched in 2005 by the American Society of News Editors (which merged with the Associated Press Media Editors in 2019 to become News Leaders Association), with the support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. As of December 2023, Sunshine Week is coordinated by the Joseph L. Brechner FOI Project at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.
What should we take away?
- That government transparency, and openness is a right of every American
- That exercising that right, strengthens America
- That educating yourself on your government is an obligation of Citizenship
- That everyone plays the most important role in our Democracy: Citizen
