The North Carolina Open Government Coalition will hold its annual Sunshine Day Events at North Carolina A&T State University on March 9, 2020.
Sunshine Day, a program sponsored by the North Carolina Open Government Coalition, brings together journalists, media companies, attorneys, and the public to celebrate openness and transparency in North Carolina government. The event coincides annually with North Carolina Sunshine Week to bring awareness to the importance of open and accountable government.
Judge Chris Brook, of the North Carolina Court of Appeals, will offer a keynote address on the relationship between transparency and good government in North Carolina. During lunch, the NC Open Government Coalition will announce the winners of the sixth annual Sunshine Awards acknowledging outstanding achievement in journalism, advocacy, and government work related to improving government in North Carolina.
The program includes the following activities:
Covering the 2020 election and Republican National Convention: A panel of journalists will discuss access issues related to covering major campaign events ahead of this year’s election.
The Future of Open Data in NC: Open data experts will discuss and debate the merits of new rules governing public data.
Police Body Cam Issues Four Years Later: Journalists and government officials will discuss the effects of North Carolina’s police body camera law on government, transparency, and community health.
Legal Training Breakout Sessions: Two sessions will focus on nuts-and-bolts legal training. One session will focus creating a space for education and discussion among student and early-career journalists. The second will focus on recurring issues faced by seasoned reporters and public information officers.
Register for Sunshine Day and lunch here.
This year’s events are made possible through a partnership with North Carolina A&T State University, the A&T Journalism and Mass Communication Department, and the A&T chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists.
Sunshine Day would not be possible without generous public support. To contribute to our mission of openness and transparency in North Carolina, click here. If you are interested in sponsoring a student’s attendance at Sunshine Day, or with any other questions, email Brooks Fuller at bfuller7@elon.edu.