12/28/06

Elon to host center for open government coalition

ELON, N.C. (AP) -- The North Carolina Open Government Coalition will establish an academic center at Elon University, the school and the coalition said Thursday.

The Sunshine Center will become a resource on First Amendment issues and public access to government, while the Elon communications faculty will develop related teaching tools and outreach programs.

"The mission and values of openness in a democracy are at the center of what we teach," said Paul Parsons, dean of the School of Communications at Elon.

The open government coalition unites organizations in the state that support easy public access to government records, meetings and activities.

Member organizations include The Associated Press, the North Carolina League of Municipalities, the North Carolina Press Association, North Carolina Lieutenant Governor's Office, the state's journalism schools and leading newspapers and broadcast stations.

"We at the coalition are thrilled about the establishment of the Sunshine Center and our relationship with Elon University," said coalition president Jim Hefner, vice president and general manager of WRAL-TV in Raleigh. "Elon is making a name for itself nationally with its innovative approaches to higher education, and the willingness of the School of Communications to join us in this endeavor is just another indication of Elon's commitment to its students and our state."