Ed. Note: This post is the first in a Sunshine Week series on whitehouse.gov. Sunshine Week is a national initiative to celebrate and focus on government transparency and open government.<\/p>\n
As President Barack Obama has stated, "Openness will strengthen our democracy, and promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government." This week, we celebrate Sunshine Week — an appropriate time to discuss the importance of open government and freedom of information, and to take stock of how far we have come<\/a>, and think about what more can be done. <\/p>\n Over the last few weeks, we have asked for your feedback<\/a> on some of our open government efforts, and you have responded, whether in meetings with civil society or via Quora<\/a>, or a web form on WhiteHouse.gov<\/a>. We thank you for taking the time to talk to us about this important work, and we hear you<\/a> – and we will continue to consult with you.<\/p>\n In the spirit of Sunshine Week, the White House will highlight one initiative a day which demonstrates the Obama Administration’s continued commitment to open and accessible government. Today, we will focus on progress made improving the administration of the FOIA. As Justice Louis Brandeis wrote, "sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants." In our democracy, FOIA, which encourages accountability through transparency, is the most prominent expression of a profound national commitment to ensuring an open government. <\/p>\n