Sunshine Week — March 13-19 this year — promotes a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis’ quote “sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants” is the basis for the name Sunshine Laws. These laws for state public record and open meeting laws, as well as the federal Freedom of Information Act, promote transparency in government. Informed citizenry is the best deterrent against government corruption.
Government transparency, a non-partisan principle, transcends who’s in office or which political party is in control. Freedom of information or “sunshine” laws open up government and empower people through information.
We all need accurate information to shape our opinions and best advocate for ourselves.
