Press Room

[edit] What is Sunshine Review?

• Sunshine Review is a non-profit organization dedicated to state and local government transparency. The Sunshine Review wiki collects and shares transparency information and uses a "10-point Transparency Checklist" to evaluate the content of every state and more than 5,000 local government websites. Sunshine Review colaborates with individuals and organizations throughout America in the cause of an informed citizenry and an accountable government.

[edit] Why use a wiki platform for Sunshine Review?

• Wiki platforms are unique in allowing everyone in the nation to have a voice about what is going on in his or her county, city or school district. Wiki software enables user-friendly, accessible opportunities for mass collaboration.

[edit] What is the goal of Sunshine Review?

• Sunshine Review aims to provide a collaborative project to act as a customer service hot-line for government transparency and accountability.

[edit] Give us an example?

• In Louisiana, the state did not meet 4 of our ten-point transparency checklist: posting of budgets, meetings, administrative officials, audits. For example, 46 of 77 school district websites in Louisiana provide no or partial information on: school board members, meeting information, budgets, or open records request.

[edit] How's that "My Government Website" project coming along?

• You can track overall progress here or on counties here, cities here and school districts here.

[edit] Who uses Sunshine Review?

• Anyone and everyone can use Sunshine Review. We talk to activists, stay at home moms and lawyers on their lunch breaks who want help to add to the website and/or report on government secrecy.

[edit] Why should you use Sunshine Review?

• We shouldn’t have to ask the government for permission to be an informed citizen. The government should be adapting to new technologies so that the public can stay informed.

[edit] How can you become a contributor on Sunshine Review?

• As a concerned citizen you can help by visiting your state or local page to help us determine if your government is open or secret. Check out the transparency checklist for suggestions.

[edit] When did Sunshine Review launch?

• Sunshine Review officially launched in July of 2008 and continues to grow and develop.

[edit] Are you affiliated with any other organizations?

• In the past Sunshine Review was a project of the Sam Adams Alliance (SAM), but in 2010 we separated from SAM and launched our own organization dedicated to educating the public about affirmative disclosure and other open government initiatives.

[edit] How is Sunshine Review funded?

• Sunshine Review is funded largely by grants and a number of private donations. Our organization believes there is a difference between government transparency and personal privacy and for this reason we do not disclose our donors.

[edit] Press releases

• Press Release Archive