Sunshine Week is March 15 - 21, 2026
Sunshine Week is a nonpartisan collaboration among groups in the journalism, civic, education, government and private sectors that shines a light on the importance of public records and open government.
Join MPA in celebrating this event in Michigan by promoting the First Amendment and government transparency in your community.
Download the Fellows' Articles
Content for Sunshine Week!
Each of the 4 fellows addressed a different aspect of the issue to create this series.
We want to thank mentor Dave Clark, Editor of the Midland Daily News, and the fellows:
Lily Kujawski-Eastern Michigan University
Blace Carpenter-Central Michigan University
Lee Marentette-Grand Valley University
Minnie Bardenhagen-Northwestern Michigan College
Click the button below to access the Dropbox folder containing the stories for each Fellow, along with high-res RGB photos and artwork
Sunshine Week Tools and Resources Available for Your Use.
As Sunshine Week approaches, the Michigan Press Association encourages members to take advantage of the resources available to help promote transparency and open government across Michigan. Our Sunshine Week toolkit includes sample editorials, social media graphics, and other materials designed to help newsrooms highlight the importance of public access, accountability, and the public’s right to know. Members can also download a special editorial cartoon provided compliments of Auchtoon, which can be used to add a visual voice to your Sunshine Week coverage. (If you enjoy his work, remember that publications can subscribe to receive Auchtoon cartoons each week for regular use in print and digital editions.) Use these resources to spark conversations in your community and reinforce the vital role local journalism plays in protecting open government.
Auchtoon Cartoon
Download a PDF of the Auchtoon Cartoon Below.
Access the Sunshine Tools and Resources Below.
Op-Ed by a Member of the Michigan Newspaper Community.
2026 Sunshine Week Op-Ed
Letter from the Editor: It’s cloudy this Sunshine Week. Two people can part the skies
by John Hiner, MPA President,
President, MLive Media Group
Every Sunshine Week, the Michigan Press Association honors a public official who advances open government. This year, for the first time, we’re giving no award.
That’s how cloudy it is over transparency in Michigan.
“Unfortunately, this year’s legislative and policy landscape does not reflect the progress or commitment to openness that the award is designed to celebrate,” the MPA said in advance of Sunshine Week, which begins March 15.
Download John's Op-Ed in a PDF format , and in a Word Doc below.
Sunshine Week Press Release
Michigan Press Association urges lawmakers to prioritize transparency, protect public notice requirements.
Group declines to present annual Sunshine Week award amid concerns about open government.
Ahead of Sunshine Week, which highlights the importance of public records and open government, the Michigan Press Association is urging state lawmakers to prioritize transparency and maintain accountability measures that help keep residents informed and engaged.
Download in a Word Doc format below.
Activities that newspapers can use to promote Sunshine in their community.
- Write about the state of access to public records in your community.
- Write a news story, editorial, or column about freedom of information.
- Host a community conversation or training session about open records and government transparency.
- Participate in a webinar or live event.
- Host/participate in online discussions about Sunshine Week.
- Suggest a movie binge with All The Presidents Men, Spotlight, and The Post.
- Do a book review on your social media about a book that used sunshine to get the story, like She Said by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, or Bad City by Paul Pringle.
Op-Eds by Members of the Michigan Newspaper Community.
Sunshine Week Award Winners Articles
Sunshine Week Resource Tools