Sunshine Network to Identify FOI Problems (US)

SPJ Sunshine Network to Identify FOI Problems, Candidate Positions for 2008

Thu Nov 29, 2007 1:41pm EST

 
 

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, Nov 29 (MARKET WIRE) -- The Society of Professional Journalists' Sunshine Network will identify key open-government issues at the local and state levels and help journalists document political candidates' views toward freedom of information before the 2008 elections.

Volunteers will identify key problems in their states' freedom of information laws, develop three to five questions to be posed to state and local political candidates, and then encourage journalists and others to get candidates' responses on the record.

"It is crucial that citizens know candidate positions on open, transparent government," said Clint Brewer, SPJ National President. "The American people deserve to know whether politicians asking for public trust in each state believe government should be accountable."

The effort is in conjunction with the national Sunshine Campaign,coordinated by the American Society of Newspaper Editors. Already, the Sunshine Campaign

(http://www.sunshineweek.org/) has begun compiling a database to chronicle federal candidates' positions on freedom of information.

The ASNE Sunshine Campaign is collecting quotes and video documenting U.S. congressional and presidential candidate positions on freedom of information. The responses will be posted online as the election season heats up. Also, the Sunshine Campaign has posted online key questions that journalists can start asking candidates.

The Society of Professional Journalists, in conjunction with the NationalFreedom of Information Coalition, will extend that effort to the state level, aided by each state's SPJ Sunshine Chair, said SPJ FOI Committee Chairman David Cuillier.

"Journalists know their own states better than anyone else, so it'simportant the issues are generated at the grassroots level," Cuillier said. "We hope this will help the public understand the most pressing issues in their state regarding access to public records and meetings, and how the candidates stand.

"Better we all know how candidates stand on freedom of information beforethey are elected, not after," Cuillier said.

For years, SPJ's Sunshine Network has monitored freedom of information at the state level. Problems and stories of interest to journalists and open-government proponents are posted at the organization's "FOI FYI" blog

(http://www.spj.org/blog/blogs/foifyi/).

Also, efforts by Sunshine Chairs and other SPJ leaders to ferret out secrecy and educate journalists and the public have yielded results, including:

-- Providing journalists a state-by-state breakdown of access to prisons -- Providing journalists a state-by-state breakdown of access to prisons

(http://www.spj.org/prisonaccess.asp)

-- Outing "Senator Secrecy," who attempted to secretly stop the Open -- Outing "Senator Secrecy," who attempted to secretly stop the Open

Government Act this year (http://www.spj.org/ogahold.asp). This was

possible with the help of Charles Davis, FOI Committee member, who wrote a

column about the issue that was picked up by more than 200 newspapers

(http://spj.org/blog/blogs/foifyi/archive/2007/06/04/7519.aspx).

-- Speaking out against efforts to make secret city e-mails -- Speaking out against efforts to make secret city e-mails

(http://www.spj.org/news.asp?ref=746), restrict filming and photography on

federal lands (http://www.spj.org/news.asp?ref=739), and restrict basic cow

directory information (http://www.spj.org/news.asp?ref=744). For information about getting involved in the Sunshine Network, contact SPJ FOI Committee Chairman David Cuillier at (520) 626-9694 or at cuillier@email.arizona.edu. See more information about SPJ's work on FOI issues at http://www.spj.org/foi.asp.

The Society of Professional Journalists works to improve and protectjournalism. SPJ is dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulatinghigh standards of ethical behavior. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, and based in Indianapolis, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed public, works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists, and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech andpress. For more information about SPJ and SDX, please visit http://www.spj.org. Contact: Clint Brewer President

(615) 301-9229 Email Contact Beth King Communications Manager

(317) 927-8000, ext. 211 Email Contact Copyright 2007, Market Wire, All rights reserved. -0-

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