The goal of Sunshine Week — March 15-21 this year with related events occurring throughout the month — is to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information.
Participants include news media, civic groups, libraries, nonprofits, schools and others interested in the public’s right to know.
Need commentary for your Sunshine Week story or event? Email justin@nefac.org. Want to learn more about the open government laws in your state? Start with our FOI Guide.
Here’s a look at other ways NEFAC can help you celebrate the occasion while defending your right to know about government.
Student Public Records Contest
NEFAC recently teamed up with MuckRock and the Society of Professional Journalists New England Chapter to launch an ongoing public records contest for student journalists. Hone your transparency skills and take your shot at a monthly prize package.
Sunshine Fest 2026
NEFAC is in Washington, D.C. for the annual Sunshine Fest. The event brings together journalists, record custodians, policy makers, historians, state FOI coalitions, librarians, academics, civil society nonprofit groups, commercial data providers, and all other constituencies who care about transparency at the local, state, federal and global levels of government. Join us!
Update: Mass. Open Meeting Law
March 18 | Online | Register Now
Learn how the Massachusetts open meeting law has changed during the last four years and what developments — for better or worse — may be on the horizon.
By attending this lesson, you’ll get a full update to supplement everything you learned in our previous open meeting law lessons. Haven’t watched those lessons? You can find them here.
N.H. Right to Know Workshop
March 19 | Manchester | Register Now
This in-person workshop is designed to help residents better understand how open government works and how to access public information themselves.
Participants will learn: (1) The basics of New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know laws (2) How to draft a public records request (3) How journalists locate and use public records (4) How advocacy plays a role in government transparency.
SkillsFest 26
March 26 | Online | Register Now
NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman will present “The First Amendment Decoded,” a quick-hit lesson on libel; time, place and manner restrictions; forum analysis; and how the constitution protects your right to learn about government.
NEFAC is the region’s leading defender of the First Amendment and open government. The coalition began in 2006 to advance and protect the five freedoms of the First Amendment, including the principle of the public’s right to know. We’re a broad-based organization of people who believe in the power of an informed democratic society.
Our coalition is funded through contributions made by those who value the First Amendment and who strive to keep government accountable. Please make a donation here.
NEFAC appreciates the support of all its donors and contributors. In particular, we would like to recognize the Estate of Gloria L. Negri, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the following Leadership Circle donors: Rhode Island Foundation, The Boston Globe, Paul and Ann Sagan, and the Robertson Foundation. Major Supporters of NEFAC’s work include Hearst Connecticut Media Group, Boston University, the Academy of New England Journalists, and Truro News.