Let the sunshine in

March 12-18 the American Library Association
in cooperation with other organizations acknowledge the 40th anniversary of the federal Freedom of Information Act. Let's hope that the sunshine of the week may shed some light to some dark forces in the biggest democracy in the world.. I quote from ALA pressrelease of yesterday:

(WASHINGTON, DC) Hurricane Katrina highlighted massive government failures to provide up-to-date and accurate information to the public both before and after the failure of the levees. Recent news accounts of tragedies in mines show public safety threats are exacerbated when the government inappropriately withholds information. A commitment to more transparency can ensure the public gets timely information before a disaster strikes.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the federal Freedom of Information Act and librarians and others are marking the occasion with Sunshine Week (March 12-18)—a series of events co-sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and organizations representing librarians, journalists, and people dedicated to open access and open government. Sunshine Week is intended to raise awareness of the importance of open government to the public. This year it will be celebrated with several exciting events, including:

Are We Safer in the Dark? A Dialogue on Open Government and Secrecy
In celebration of Sunshine Week, a panel of experts from around the country will discuss open government and secrecy – the problems confronted, the impacts on communities, and what the public can do. [...]

Source:
"Librarians mark 40th anniversary of Freedom of Information Act with “Sunshine Week” events." American Library Association. 2006.http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2006/march2006/
sunshineweek.htm (Accessed 02 Mar, 2006)