Today begins the American Society of Newspaper Editors-sponsored Sunshine Week, a campaign aimed at heightening awareness on how to hold federal, state and local government bodies accountable to public scrutiny.
Want to learn how to file your own Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request? The First Amendment Center site has a detailed guide. The site also has overviews of open records and open meetings laws.
California has its own public records act, which you can learn about at The First Amendment Project. In addition, the League of California Cities has an extensive guide and explanation of the Brown Act, California's law requiring the open meetings of governing bodies.
Anyone who cares about open, effective government — journalists, students, teachers, librarians, civic leaders, public officials, bloggers, nonprofit groups and private citizens like you — can be involved in Sunshine week. For more information, e-mail Sunshine Week coordinator Debra Gersh Hernandez.
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