David Cuillier Comments on How the Current Political Climate is Affecting Sunshine Week Activities
David Cuillier, director of the Brechner Freedom of Information (FOI) Project, was quoted in “Sunshine Week Comes Amid Darkening Clouds for Open Gov Advocates” published in Federal News Network on March 17.
The article focuses on the Office of Information Policy (OIP) in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) which typically marks Sunshine Week, an annual occasion to celebrate open and transparent government, with a public awards ceremony to honor the contributions of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) professionals across government.
However, this year, the office is not planning to participate.
“We have data going back decades that show this backslide,” said Cuillier. “Regardless of who’s president, regardless of what party is in charge. This isn’t about party politics. This is about power. Ultimately, that’s what transparency comes down to. Information is power.”
“Every year it gets worse and worse, harder and harder to get information out of the federal government,” Cuillier said. “I think a lot of requesters felt that the DOJ and OIP still favored secrecy, but at least, I think the relationship was much better.”
Cuillier said previous advances in openness and transparency laws came in response to major concerns about government secrecy. He believes the current period could produce a similar public response.
Cuillier and the Brechner FOI Project are co-hosting an annual “Sunshine Fest” featuring representatives from federal, state and local governments, as well as nonprofits.
“We’re getting together and we’re going to talk about these issues, and we’re going to form networks, and we’re going to figure out what solutions are there that can help everyone, the government and the people, and that’s what we need to do,” Cuillier said. “I’m cautiously optimistic that in the next few years, this could lead to some positive change and renewed effort into good, accountable, transparent governmental actions.”
Category: Brechner Center, College News
Tagged: Brechner Freedom of Information Project David Cuillier Sunshine Fest Sunshine Week
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