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Sunshine Week Home Page » Sunshine Week Showcase 2005 »

Sunshine Week Showcase 2005, Page 2

Published: March 30, 2005
Last Updated: April 01, 2005

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Alabama Coverage

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, March 17: Editor explains the new open meetings law, says the outlook is sunnier.

The Birmingham News

Sunday, March 13: Governor's proclamation, legislature's action on open meetings perfectly timed in Sunshine Week.

The Crimson White, University of Alabama

Monday, March 21: Open government law is enacted, but Student Government Association continues to refuse to post agenda in advance.

The Decatur Daily

Wednesday, March 9: Alabama House unanimously passes law governing open meetings.

Sunday, March 13: Editorial says Sunshine Week should be the norm, not the exception. New sunshine law spells out specifics for government meetings.

Hartselle Enquirer

Wednesday, March 16: State senator who sponsored new open meetings law writes about its importance. Editor and publisher explains the new open meetings law.

NBC 13, Birmingham

Wednesday, March 9: Alabama governor proclaims 'Sunshine Week' throughout the state.

Montgomery Advertiser

Sunday, March 13: Editorial notes open government is "about the ability of the citizenry to have the knowledge necessary to decide their own destiny." State legislature passes open meetings measure.

Tuesday, March 15: Governor set to sign open meetings law.

Thursday, March 17: Editorial says new meetings law is a great present to the state during national Sunshine Week.

Sand Mountain Reporter, Albertville

Tuesday, March 15: Editors hope new law ends roadblocks to government meetings.

Thursday, March 17: Governor signs open meetings act into law, saying, "the days of citizens being shut out of public meetings are over."

Saturday, March 19: Paper commends local legislative delgates for their support of state's new open meetings law.

The Times Daily, Florence

Sunday, March 13: First in a series of Sunshine Week articles celebrating the First Amendment looks at the debate surrounding freedom of religion. Sunshine Week gets off to a good start in the state with passage of open meetings law.

Monday, March 14: Free speech illustrated in cartoon series; opportunity for teaching noted.

Tuesday, March 15: First Amendment right to publish the truth is examined.

Wednesday, March 16: The right to peaceably protest was particularly relevant during the civil rights era. Governor signs open government bill into law.

Thursday, March 17: Last article in First Amendment series examines the right to petition for grievances, often called the "orphan" clause.

Monday, March 21: Governor gets "thumbs up" for signing open government law during Sunshine Week.

The Times Journal, Fort Payne

Wednesday, March 16: Editor calls for Sunshine Week support, noting, "We must never allow our government to discuss, debate and act covered in the shadow of a closed door."

Tuscaloosa News

Sunday, March 13: A survey of local elected and appointed government boards and agencies found respondents saying they abide by open meetings laws, but some admit to violations. Meeting and other info for individual towns is posted online. Man-on-the-street interviews find locals wanting open government meetings, even if they don't go. AP reports on passage of state's open-meetings law detailing rules for officials' meetings.

The Wetumpka Herald

Wednesday, March 16: Noting that open government is important to citizens, editorial provides excerpts from other papers and news execs on Sunshine Week themes.

WHNT 19, Huntsville

Monday, March 14: NewsChannel 19 announces weeklong look at open government issues, links to sister papers' coverage.

WSFA 12, Montgomery

Monday, March 14: Governor, legislature put new spotlight on open government.


Alaska Coverage

Peninsula Clarion, Kenai

Monday, March 14: Readers are reminded why Sunshine Week is significant to their lives, reprinted from the Florida Times-Union.

Thursday, March 17: Opinion piece reprinted from Florida Times-Union notes that "open government remains the best government."


Arizona Coverage

Arizona Daily Star, Tucson

Monday, March 14: AP review finds more documents being withheld from the public.

Tuesday, March 15: Finding that Sunshine Week and National Bubble Week coincide, editorial calls on people "to help burst a growing bubble of secrecy."

Friday, March 18: Report finds record number of FOIA requests.

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff

Sunday, March 13: Poll finds 70 percent of adults concerned about government secrecy.

Arizona Republic, Phoenix

Tuesday, March 15: Editorial points out that the U.S. can "meet our security needs without keeping government operations in the dark. And without giving up our right to know."

Wednesday, March 16: Arizona has sunshine to spare, "Except when it comes to public records," editorial says.

KTVK, News Channel 3, Phoenix

Sunday, March 13: Majority of the public is concerned about government secrecy.

KNXV, ABC 15, Phoenix

Thursday, March 10: Sunshine Week launches amid environment of tighter secrecy.

Sunday, March 13: Report finds tightening information loop.

Tucson Citizen

Thursday, March 17: Editorial notes that, "Ensuring that governments are open and accessible must also be the responsibility of every citizen."

Tucson Weekly

January 27: Columnist notes increased secrecy by police, announces launch of Sunshine Week.


Arkansas Coverage

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock

Wednesday, March 9: Editorial argues that it may not be the "worst of times" for government secrecy.

Please note: The link above is to a cached page available via a popular online search engine. Paid subscription to the newspaper is required to view articles on its Web site; archived articles are available for a fee. Click here for information.

Arkansas Press Association Member Bulletin

Thursday, March 17: Several articles look at Sunshine Week issues; meeting with governor provides opportunity to discuss open government.

The Baxter Bulletin

Friday, March 11: Sunshine Week stories previewed in a look at what's coming up in the paper next week.

Wednesday, March 16: History of state's FOI law. Editorial explains why Sunshine Week stories are important to readers, offers free state FOI handbook.

Thursday, March 17: More than 100 journalists sign letter to lawmakers expressing concern over record number of bills to limit state's FOI laws.

Saturday, March 19: Lawmakers asked to comment on FOIA bills before the assembly.

Benton County Daily Record

Friday, March 18: Indifference and resistance to open government laws is wrong, notes editorial reprinted from The Plain Dealer of Cleveland.

The Herald-Leader, Siloam Springs

Sunday, March 13: "FOIA is a serious law," but not only for journalists; citizens are encouraged to read FOI Handbook.

Herald Publishing Co., Hazen

Sunday, March 13: Editorial points out that legislative attempts to weaken the state's FOIA bill should not be ignored; readers urged to contact their legislators.

The Morning News, Springdale

Tuesday, March 15: Noting that Sunshine Week "is intended to sound the warning that national security concerns must not lead Americans to give up their rights to observe and evaluate the performance of those we selected to govern us," editorial includes quotes from famous people on the issue.

Wednesday, March 16: Editorial calls bills in the legislature to limit the state's Freedom of Information Act "unparalleled attacks."

Sunday, March 20: Survey shows almost half of FOI requests come from the public, not journalists.


California Coverage

The Argus, Freemont

Friday, March 18: Paper wins lawsuit for release of government records, reminds readers that the public can demand officials change their behavior.

Bakersfield Californian, KBAK 29 Eyewitness News

Thursday, March 10: Prosecutors and judges put the squeeze on reporters.

Californians Aware, Carmichael

Monday, March 7: Free workshop on state's open-government laws held during Sunshine Week.

The Daily Democrat, Woodland

Tuesday, March 15: Long struggle to let the sun shine on government is worthwhile, editorial notes.

The Daily News, Los Angeles

Saturday, March 12: Editorial supports Sunshine Week, "because a society cannot be free if its government is not open." Even with new law, battle for open government continues in the state.

The Desert Sun, Palm Springs

Sunday, March 13: Editorial calls on readers to take advantage of public records availability.

The Fresno Bee

Sunday, March 13: Editorial looks at open government at the local, state and federal levels; "Governments at every level often struggle with the requirement for openness, and many fail."

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Ontario

Monday, March 14: Local open-government activist "shouldn’t be a lone voice in the wilderness," editorial urges.

KFMB, Local 8, San Diego

Sunday, March 13: Poll records public secrecy concerns.

Tuesday, March 15: Senate hearing looks at FOIA reform issues.

League of Women Voters of Orange Coast, Huntington Beach

Saturday, March 12: League supports Sunshine Week with series of discussions on open government issues.

Librarian Way

Monday, March 14: Blogger at San Jose State University School of Library and Information Science provides link to state open government info.

The Modesto Bee

Sunday, March 13: Giving examples of "sunshine" and "darkness," editorial asks readers to support open government legislation and initiatives.

Monterey County Herald

Thursday, March 10: Judges increasingly compel journalists to reveal sources.

Out in Palm Springs

Thursday, March 17: High school newspaper editor fired for article featuring gay and bisexual students is among speakers at Student Press Law Center event during Sunshine Week.

Pasadena Star-News

Sunday, March 13: Sunshine Week "isn’t about tanning, unless you're talking about political hides," begins editorial that notes keeping government open should be a priority all year.

Patterson Irrigator

Saturday, March 12: Editorial says the paper will "continue to grill our local public officials for records and information. It’s our job and the people's right."

PI News Link, Oakland

Sunday, March 13: Private investigator blog urges colleagues to advocate for public records.

Monday, March 14: Roundup of news and commentary for Sunshine Week.

The Press-Enterprise, Riverside

Saturday, March 12: AP chief Tom Curley on Sunshine Week and open government issues. Citizens across the nation use FOIA to get information. How to file a FOIA request.

Sunday, March 13: Other nations use U.S. FOIA model to develop own laws. Poll shows public concern for government secrecy.

Monday, March 14: Medical privacy laws stifle release of information. Longest pending FOIA request dates to 1981. AP review finds government releasing less information. AP video report says poll shows public wants more government information.

Thursday, March 17: Faster FOIA Act passes committee.

The Press-Telegram, Long Beach

Sunday, March 13: Despite open government amendment, officials still make it difficult to get information. AP reports on state of federal openness. Poll shows public's concern with secrecy. AP chief talks about the importance of open government. Citizens look for information in public records.

Monday, March 14: Editorial notes that Sept. 11 attacks are being used as an excuse for government agencies to operate behind closed doors.

The Record, Stockton

Sunday, March 13: San Francisco journalist is still waiting for FOIA request to be filled, 24 years after it was filed.

The Record Searchlight, Redding

Thursday, March 10: Free workshop on state's public records law kicks off Sunshine Week activities.

Tuesday, March 15: Reminder of upcoming open records workshop.

Wednesday, March 16: Closed sessions prompt editorial stating, "What better time than Sunshine Week for the Redding School District to make its most important decision in years—choosing a new superintendent—under a cloud of secrecy and disdain for public participation."

Friday, March 18: Diverse crowd of about 140 attends open-government workshop; participants "go away with a little extra salsa and energy in dealing with government."

The Reporter, Vacaville

Sunday, March 13: Open-government activists fight for better local access. Editorial notes Sunshine Week is a time to "urge an end to furtive secrecy that diminishes the public's ability to weigh government policy and performance, whether in matters of war and peace, or potholes and salaries."

The Sacramento Bee

Sunday, March 13: Secrecy will not protect Americans from terrorists, First Amendment expert notes.

Tuesday, March 15: AP president and CEO talks about the importance of open government and Sunshine Week.

Thursday, March 17: Columnist lauds local "Mr. Sunshine" for continuing fight to keep government documents and meetings open.

The San Bernardino Sun

Monday, March 14: Editorial supporting Sunshine Week notes, "We have long fought to keep government transparent, and we will be unceasing in our vigilance not just during Sunshine Week, but on every day of the year."

San Francisco Chronicle

Thursday, March 10: As judiciary puts the squeeze on journalists' confidential sources, relief is sought from legislators.

Tuesday, March 15: Editorial says, "The mania for government secrecy must be curbed."

Santa Cruz Sentinel

Sunday, March 13: Recently enacted proposition helped advance open government, but legislature ought to reconsider including itself in the requirements, editorial says.

Sneakeasy's Joint

Tuesday, March 15: Costa Mesa-based blogger urges fellow bloggers to practice responsible citizenship; says Sunshine Week is important to all Americans.

The Spartan Daily, San Jose State University

Sunday, March 13: Letter to the editor notes Sunshine Week, chides university administration for lack of student access to meetings and records.

The Tribune, San Luis Obispo

Thursday, March 10: Growing number of journalists find themselves fighting court orders to reveal sources.

Sunday, March 20: Sunshine Week is "a time to let our public officials know that we expect the public's business to be conducted in the light of public scrutiny."

UCLA Library News

Tuesday, March 15: UCLA Library highlights importance of Sunshine Week, links to state and federal FOIA sites.

The Union-Tribune, San Diego

Sunday, March 13: Editor explains Sunshine Week, tells how the paper uses open records. Calendar of former city attorney, obtained by utilizing open records laws, discovers little time spent on city business. National poll finds concerns about access to government information.

Monday, March 14: State and local government follow feds in post-9/11 tightening of information release. At 24 years and counting, San Francisco journalist holds the record for longest pending FOIA request.

Tuesday, March 15: Sen. Leahy to introduce Restoration of FOIA bill to guard against undue secrecy created by homeland security laws. Experts at FOIA reform bill hearing tell of importance of open government.

Wednesday, March 16: Councilwoman says constant attention is needed to preserve open government; public must participate.

Visalia Times-Delta, Tulare Advance Register

Sunshine Week: Sunshine Week articles are featured on a special Web page, linked from the home page, that includes links to sample requests and other information sources.

Saturday, March 12: Editorial reminds readers that "everybody has a stake in having as transparent a government as possible, and everyone has the duty to insist on open government." Police reports are explained. Readers instructed on how to get a police report. Tips for searching public records provided. The right to public documents is explained. How insurance companies use police reports. What's covered by the state's open meetings law.

Monday, March 14: Courthouse records system can be confusing. Tips for accessing courthouse documents.

Tuesday, March 15: How to make courthouse records searches go smoother. What kinds of records are kept in the court's legal filings division, and what kind of information they can yield.

Wednesday, March 16: Information can be found in the Recorder's and Assessor's offices. How to access property records.

Thursday, March 17: How to check a contractor's license. Licenses and disciplinary records can be found online. How to check a therapist's license. The kind of information that can be found in a license record. List of state licensing boards.

Friday, March 18: How to make sure a charity is legit. Where to find charity information online. How to follow the money once you donate to a charity.

Saturday, March 19: Weeklong series on government records shows that patience is important when searching for information. A primer on the state's open government law. How to challenge information in a school record. Law spells out what kind of access is provided to school records. The kind of information kept in a school record is described.

Whittier Daily News

Sunday, March 13: Editorial points out that weakness of penalties in state law means "government at all levels continues to impinge the public's right to know."


Colorado Coverage

The Aurora Daily Sun & Sentinel

Wednesday, March 16: Publisher, paraphrasing the founders, points out that the truths about open government "should be self-evident — but apparently they are not."

Boulder Weekly

Saturday, March 26: Weekly questions timing of governor's release of travel records during Sunshine Week.

The Coloradoan, Fort Collins

Sunday, March 13: Editorial notes that the trend toward closing government "has surfaced with gusto locally"; links to FOI sites provided.

Wednesday, March 16: Editorial supports two open records measures in the state legislature and federal FOIA bills; notes that despite media attention, this is not a media issue but is about good government.

Colorado Editor, Colorado Press Association

Monday, Feb. 7: CPA to lead Sunshine Week efforts in Colorado.

Thursday, March 17: Press group provides national and state Sunshine Week resources to members.

Colorado Springs Independent

March 17-23: While governor proclaims Sunshine Week, local commissioner seeks to ban free-circulation papers from government buildings.

Cortez Journal

Saturday, March 12: Editorial lauds federal, state lawmakers pushing open government legislation, encourages others to follow; "if they're governing well, they have nothing to fear."

Saturday, March 19: Legislature's Sunshine Week passage of measure to limit information about county employees called "ironic."

Craig Daily Press

Wednesday, March 16: To help fight public apathy about open-government issues, editorial says newspaper will sponsor a workshop for local officials.

The Daily Times-Call, Longmont

Sunshine Week: Special Sunshine Week home page houses relevant articles, commentary.

Sunday, March 13: Editorial notes that millions of words have been written about the 45 words that make up the First Amendment, in which the founders "captured concisely the nature of the relationship that the public expects with its government." FOI law hasn't changed, but balance has moved toward secrecy. Medical privacy laws are shutting down even basic information.

Monday, March 14: Military officials seek to bar the press from court proceedings. Federal government has been reducing the amount of information it releases.

Wednesday, March 16: Editorial debunks common arguments for shutting down access, explaining, "Public interest is served best when government operations are transparent, and that can only be achieved through open meetings and open records."

The Denver Post

Sunday, March 13: Noting there are many ways people receive news now, editorial adds, "it doesn't matter how many thousand outlets vie for public attention if they are all force-fed the same government-issue spin and pabulum and if they are forbidden or obstructed from digging behind the scenes."

The Erie Review

Wednesday, March 16: Government activity is the media's business because it's the people's business, editorial explains, adding that a government that holds all the information is "a tyrant's playground."

The Flume, Bailey

Friday, March 11: Editorial joins support for Sunshine Week because open government is important, but notes that trend is moving away from openness.

Fort Morgan Times

Wednesday, March 23: Editorial urging veto of bill to limit information about county employees also notes, "It's ironic that we were celebrating Sunshine Week and the House Local Government Committee passed a bill that allows local government to limit information to the public."

The Gazette, Colorado Springs

Friday, March 18: Editorial speaks out against measure to block county employee information, stating, "When public officials at any level of government seek to make it harder to access government information, all our antennas should go up."

Please note: The link above is to a cached page available via a popular online search engine. The Gazette charges a fee to access its archived articles. Click here for more information.

Glenwood Springs Post Independent

Friday, March 18: Editorial from the Colorado Press Association says bill to shield county employee information isn't compatible with open government.

Greeley Tribune

Sunday, March 13: Editorial gives examples of clampdowns on government information, tells readers, "Your apathy is the best weapon for those who want government to operate in darkness."

Journal-Advocate, Sterling

Monday, March 14: Op-ed from Sen. Cornyn celebrates Sunshine Week, touts FOIA reform.

Friday, March 18: State's press association chief calls passage of bill restricting information about county employees a step backwards, urges governor to veto it.

KCNC-TV, CBS4, Denver

Thursday, March 17: Open records laws helped station complete several investigative stories.

The Pueblo Chieftain

Sunday, March 20: Commentary reprinted from The Plain Dealer reminds readers they are an important part of Sunshine Week.

Vail Daily

Tuesday, March 15: Columnist points out that Sunshine Week is an appropriate time to remember gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson, explaining, "Agree with him or not, the ability to question the status quo and demand better answers is a quality to be revered."


Connecticut Coverage

The Connecticut Post

Sunday, March 20: Editor writes that although survey showed few people recognized FOI terms, most believe the concepts are important.

The Day, New London

Tuesday, March 15: As part of its Sunshine Week coverage, paper highlights stories using government records, including an investigation of a hospital emergency room reported to be turning away uninsured psychiatric patients.

Greenwich Time

Thursday, March 17: Thirtieth anniversary of state's FOI law and success of state commission to handle complaints help citizens gain information.

The Hartford Courant

Tuesday, March 15: Article looks at access frustrations, and reports that while the state's FOI commission celebrates its 30th anniversary, knee-jerk reactions of over-classification and the consequences of a worldwide "global information society" remain major issues.

News 12 Connecticut, Norwalk

Monday, March 14: AP reports on the slowdown in release of federal government information.

Norwich Bulletin

Sunday, March 13: Editorial notes importance of First Amendment to all citizens, says state's FOI law and education outreach place it ahead of the pack.

Record-Journal, Meriden

Monday, March 14: Editor finds his patience is very short for judicial secrecy, particularly sealed lawsuit settlements.


Delaware Coverage

News Break, Delaware Press Association

February 2005: President of press group urges members to "use your power and add your voices to those of your peers nationwide during Sunshine Week."


Florida Coverage

Florida Society of Newspaper Editors

Sunshine Week: Florida Society of Newspaper Editors collects the state's Sunshine Week efforts on its Web site.

Participating newspapers include the Boca Raton News; Bradenton Herald; The Cape Coral Daily Breeze; The Citrus County Chronicle; Daytona Beach News-Journal; Florida Today, Melbourne; Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville; Ft. Myers News-Press; The Gainesville Sun; Highlands Today, Tampa; Key West Citizen; Lake City Reporter; Lakeland Ledger; Leesburg Daily Commercial; Miami Herald; Northwest Florida Daily News; Naples Daily News; Ocala Star-Banner; Okeechobee News; Orlando Sentinel; Palatka Daily News; Palm Beach Daily News; Palm Beach Post; Panama City News Herald; Pensacola News Journal; Port Charlotte Sun-Herald; Sarasota Herald-Tribune; Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers; South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Ft, Lauderdale; St. Augustine Record; St. Petersburg Times; Tallahassee Democrat; and the Tampa Tribune.


Georgia Coverage

Access North Georgia, Gainesville

Saturday, March 12: Controversial information access legislation stalls in face of strong opposition.

Athens Banner-Herald

Tuesday, March 15: Sunshine Week is a good time to quash legislative moves to shut off information flow, editorial says.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sunshine Week: Sunshine Week and other open government articles are collected on the AJC Web site.

Sunday, March 13: Profiles of citizens using public records to watch over government actions is the "nature of our participatory democracy," editorial says, adding that challenges to openness must come "not just from the media, but from the governed." Police departments tested on compliance with serious-crimes records requests; most pass, some never respond. Reports on how each county's police department responded to records request. History of national open government milestones. Georgial open government history charted in timeline. Former governor says number of exemptions to state's Open Records Act makes it "almost as bad as the tax code." Voice of Gwinnett feature asks residents about their experiences trying to get government records.

Public Official Hero: County clerk has a simple philosophy to government information; "They're not my records, they're the people's records." Public Official Hero: Recently retired mediator for Georgia's open government mediation program says it's her nature to want openness; "I hate secrets." Public Official Hero: Director of Georgia Bureau of Investigation creates free booklet on records access for law enforcement officers, media, attorneys and others. Public Official Hero: County clerk launches records restoration project to migrate information online. Public Official Hero: Founders of real estate fraud prevention coalition used utility records to uncover "mortgage flipping" in their neighborhoods.

Citizen Heroes: Two mothers who set out to find more information about disciplinary problems at their sons' school used government records to discover that there had been very serious, shocking incidents. Citizen Heroes: Political polar opposites, neighbors band to utilize government records on soil safety to pressure the state to pay for the safe closure of a bankrupt landfill. Citizen Hero: Crabber-turned environmentalist uses public records to ensure developers and the government agencies comply with clean water rules.

Tuesday, March 15: Governor issues proclamation declaring support for Sunshine Week.

Wednesday, March 16: State senate allows universities to keep donor information secret.

Augusta Chronicle

Saturday, March 12: Observers note a marked increase in state legislative measures to amend open government laws.

The Brunswick News

Friday, March 18: Citizens using public records to gain information about how government operates are profiled.

The Catoosa County News, Ringgold

Wednesday, March 16: "When government wants to turn off the lights, it simply betrays that it is inclined to do something that it does not want to be seen," editorial states.

The Courier Herald, Dublin

Thursday, March 17: Editorial discusses state proposals and notes, "for a government to try to undermine the trust of the people by attempting to conceal the work done on behalf of the public is a travesty and a tragedy. It slaps democracy in the face."

The Daily Citizen, Dalton

Saturday, March 12: "Sunshine Week couldn't have come at a better time in Georgia, where citizens have just won a major battle in the fight for open government," editorial states.

Georgia First Amendment Foundation, Decatur

Feb. 6: Citizens urged to support Sunshine Week to call attention to legislation threatening information flow.

GPA Industry News, Georgia Press Association

February: Sunshine Week participation information available.

The Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus

Saturday, March 12: Journalists rally to defeat legislation that would have constricted information release.

The Post-Searchlight, Bainbridge

Tuesday, March 15: Noting that open government is a citizens', not journalists', issue, editor and publisher says, "The attacks on open government arising in this session of the Georgia legislature make Sunshine Week all the more appropriate."

Rome News-Tribune

Sunday, March 13: State's Sunshine forecast moves from partly cloudy to overcast as legislation threatens "to hide what public officials do from the light of public scrutiny."

Savannah Morning News

Saturday, March 12: With increase in attempts to amend the state's Open Meetings Law, critics charge that the statehouse leadership has launched an "assault on closing people off from their own government."

Tuesday, March 15: Government-access groups present "quirky" awards for champions and foes of openness.

Tuesday, March 22: Sunshine Week spot checks on compliance with sunshine laws finds uneven compliance.

The Telegraph, Macon

Saturday, March 12: Legislators fire back at journalists working against measures to stifle the flow of information, say it's "not a fair fight."

Sunday, March 13: Sen. Cornyn lauds citizens who fought against troublesome state proposals to restrict information.

The Times, Gainesville

Sunday, March 13: Editorial reminds readers that "all of us, news reporters and citizens, must be vigilant and even ferocious at times in demanding openness and accountability in government."

University of Georgia Alumni Association, Athens

Thursday, Jan. 27: In speech about high-profile court cases, professor emeritus says official gagging of government information is behind the "unprecedented" Sunshine Week effort.

Walker County Messenger, LaFayette

Tuesday, March 15: Editorial says, "There is nothing more essential to preserving and operating our representative democracy than the people being kept fully, completely and totally informed."

WRBL-TV, News 3, Columbus

Monday, March 14: Alabama governor marks Sunshine Week; legislation to improve accessibility pending.

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