Sunshine Fest 2026 will celebrate freedom of information March 15-17 in Washington, D.C., with 23 sessions, dozens of expert speakers, and opportunities to network and learn more about access to government information. Coordinated by the Brechner FOI Project, MuckRock, and National Freedom of Information Coalition.

Registration is $50 per person, which includes two receptions, breakfasts, lunches, and two full days of programming. Conference capacity is limited to 200 people, and could sell out, as it did in 2025.

“What better way to celebrate freedom of information for Sunshine Week than transparently talking about the challenges and opportunities in FOI?” said Brechner FOI Project Director David Cuillier. “Now, more than ever, we need to bolster accountability in all levels of government, and foster understanding between requesters and record custodians.”

The schedule includes sessions about how to promote transparency with the public, how to build your own AI-based record finder, tech lightning talks, the worldwide backslide in freedom of information and criminalization of FOI, and top research in government transparency, led by dozens of experts from a variety of industries and geographies.

One session will celebrate this year’s 60th anniversary of the U.S. Freedom of Information Act, and experts from around the nation and other nations will examine the state of government transparency throughout the world.

The event is hosted for free by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center. Additional support for Sunshine Fest comes from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Bloomberg News, Skyward IT Solutions, the Coalition for Sensible Public Records Access, Armedia, Loevy & Loevy, Democracy Fund, John S. Knight Fellowships, and Casepoint/OPEXUS.

Posted: January 13, 2026
Category: Brechner News
Tagged as: Brechner Freedom of Information Project, FOIA, Sunshine Week