MEDIA ADVISORY
National Event Will Explore Government Secrecy and Openness

WHO/ WHAT: A national conversation with government secrecy experts and video segments, followed by local programs at more than 35 sites across the country.

WHEN/WHERE: Monday, March 13, 2006, 1:00pm - 2:30pm ET, broadcast from the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

To kick off Sunshine Week, a panel of experts will address open government and secrecy - the problems we face, the impacts on communities, and what the public can do. Programs at venues throughout the country will then allow participants to continue the discussion, including issues relevant to local communities.

Moderator:
Geneva Overholser, Endowed Chair, Missouri School of Journalism, a former editor of the Des Moines Register, ombudsman of The Washington Post and editorial board member of The New York Times.

Speakers include:
Thomas S. Blanton, Director, National Security Archive

Thomas M. Susman, Partner, Ropes & Gray

Barbara Petersen, Executive Director, Florida First Amendment Foundation

Topics to be discussed:

• Federal laws such as the Freedom of Information Act: are they fulfilling their promise of government openness? How have laws and policies/regulations since 9/11 encouraged secrecy or openness?

• How does transparency (or a lack thereof) affect the government's readiness and response to disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the Sago Mine tragedy? What about the public's ability to plan and respond - or to prevent disasters?

• How do secrecy and openness influence the personal choices you make to ensure the education, safety and well-being of your family?

• What tools and resources effectively safeguard government accountability?

National Program Sponsors:
American Association of Law Libraries
American Library Association
American Society of Newspaper Editors / Sunshine Week
Association of Research Libraries
Coalition of Journalists for Open Government
League of Women Voters
National Freedom of Information Coalition
OpenTheGovernment.org
Special Libraries Association