FOR RELEASE: March 13, 2017
Contact: Richard T. Kaplar
The Media Institute
703-243-5700
Arlington, Va., March 13, 2017 – The Media Institute today expressed its strong support for Sunshine Week, the annual nationwide celebration of access to public information, observed this year from March 12 to March 18.
The Media Institute is an official Sunshine Week participant. Also participating is Free Speech Week, the annual celebration of free speech and free press coordinated by The Media Institute and held every October.
Across the country, this year’s Sunshine Week will be marked by panel discussions, workshops, and other events related to the latest developments in freedom of information resources. Founded in 2005, Sunshine Week recognizes the importance of the Freedom of Information Act in making government records and information available to the public.
“The Media Institute’s interests in strengthening free speech and freedom of the press are directly in line with the goals of Sunshine Week,” said Institute President Patrick Maines. “Free speech involves not only the right to speak freely, but also the right to receive information freely. An open flow of information from government not only benefits the public, but is essential to the functioning of our democracy.”
Sunshine Week was created by the American Society of News Editors and is now coordinated in partnership with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. More information about the week is available at http://sunshineweek.rcfp.org/.
The Media Institute is a nonprofit research foundation working to advance sound communications policy, freedom of speech, and excellence in journalism. For more information, visit the Institute online at www.mediainstitute.org. For information about Free Speech Week, visit www.freespeechweek.org.
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