The first Sunshine Fest March 19-20 enabled about 160 people from throughout the country – and also from Canada, Brazil and Ghana – to discuss solutions to the most pressing problems in government transparency. 

The sold-out event was coordinated by the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications to note the 20th anniversary of national Sunshine Week, which promotes the public’s right to know yearly in March.

The morning sessions covered topics such as vexatious requests, politics, and artificial intelligence (AI), while the afternoon focused on discussions about Trump, enforcement, and privacy.

Recordings of the plenary sessions will be posted to the Sunshine Week YouTube page within the next week. A session about AI is already online at YouTube, and a session about enforcement mechanisms was recorded via audio. 

The Brechner FOI project also launched the Sunshine United Network to continue this conversation throughout the year. Here are some topics discussed at the event:

FOIA backlog and much-needed reform.

A central theme of the session was the growing backlog of FOIA requests and the need for reform to address this issue. While proactive disclosure was emphasized as a potential solution to reduce the backlog, participants noted that the lack of resources and non-compliance by agencies have exacerbated the problem. 

The effects of populism on transparency.

The session examined how populism has affected transparency, particularly in Latin America, and the potential implications for the U.S. One key point discussed was the deteriorating trust in institutions, the increase in non-compliance, and the misuse of government data. While many attendees agreed that the backlog of FOI requests is a long-standing issue, it has worsened under recent administrations. 

AI’s role in FOIA requests.

While AI can certainly help improve efficiency, experts cautioned that it should not be seen as a fix for a broken system. Agencies need to adopt AI to keep pace with increasing demand, and the law itself should be designed to be machine-readable. Participants suggested practical uses of AI, such as intelligent assistants, automated ranking of requests, and the use of chatbots to improve user experience. 

Finding the balance between privacy and transparency.

The U.S. is one of the few countries without standardized identity security practices, leaving citizens vulnerable to misuse of personal information. The session highlighted the need for laws that protect privacy, especially when it comes to sensitive information used for commercial purposes. At the same time, there was a recognition that transparency is vital, particularly in ensuring that the public has access to information without compromising individual privacy. 

Urging agency efficiency to address vexatious requests. 

Participants in this session noted that noting that the definitions of terms like “unduly burdensome” are often too broad and do not serve the requester when it comes to vexatious requests. The session called for a more balanced approach to labeling and responding to such requests, encouraging two-way communication and public education. 

Best practices for enforcement.

States such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut were highlighted for their alternatives to litigation for resolving records disputes. Many agreed that agencies should face more substantial consequences for failing to comply with FOI requests. The discussion underscored the importance of not only creating effective laws but also ensuring that they are properly enforced through independent bodies that have enforcement power.

Posted: March 24, 2025
Category: Brechner News
Tagged as: Brechner Freedom of Information Project, FOI, Government Transparency, Sunshine Week