Press Room

[edit] What is Sunshine Review?

• Sunshine Review is a new media tool that helps people evaluate if their government websites effectively disclose information to the public and media.

[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] Press Releases

• Cook County Board President Todd Stroger signs Transparency in Government Pledge , June 3, 2009
• Sunshine Review completes transparency evaluations for all 3,140 counties in the United States, April 3, 2009
• American Thinker, Transparency and Accountability: The Simple Solutions, March 27, 2009
• Sunshine Review success coincides with public's desire for government transparency, March 17, 2009
• Carbondale, Illinois, becomes model city of open and honest government, March 4, 2009
• Passage of S.B. 18 is a good start to bringing transparency to Utah, Feb. 5, 2009
• PR Newswire, New Website Offers Information on Government Transparency, July 17, 2008