Sunshine Week 2021: Join us for a discussion on navigating barriers to public records and fighting for open government
Update: Check out the event recap.
The coronavirus pandemic has made accessing public information more challenging than ever, with some governments refusing to even respond to requests for public records. Yet news organizations across the country continue to publish essential accountability journalism, breaking through barriers to open government to keep their communities informed. Hear from journalists and open-government advocates about how they combatted government secrecy to tell important stories, and hear one reporter’s story of being sued by an elected official over a public records request
Nancy Ancrum (the Miami Herald) will lead a discussion with journalists Andrea Gallo (The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La.) and Derek Kravitz (Brown Institute), and First Amendment Coalition Executive Director David Snyder. The event is Thursday, March 18 at 10 am. PST via Zoom. The event is free but registration is required.
Recommended Reading and Resources
- Attorney General Jeff Landry sues Advocate reporter over public-records request (The Advocate staff)
- Editorial: the AG sued our reporter over a public-records request. You should file your own request (The Advocate Editorial Board)
- Documenting COVID-19, led by Derek Kravitz (Brown Institute)
- California Public Records Act Sample Letter (FAC)
- Free Legal Hotline (FAC)
- Sunshine Week tools & resources (News Leaders Association)
Presented by the First Amendment Coalition and the News Leaders Association, founder of Sunshine Week, an annual nationwide celebration of access to public information and what it means for you and your community. It’s your right to know.