Los Angeles, California (February 14, 2007) – Today, The Creative Coalition joins with the Radio-Television News Directors Association and Foundation and the American Society of Newspaper Editors to shoot public service announcements for Sunshine Week, the non-partisan, national initiative that urges the public and elected officials to preserve access to government information. Participants in the campaign include actors Lou Gossett, Jr., Saffron Burrows, Richard Schiff, Ron Rifkin, Izabella Miko, Camryn Manheim, Hill Harper and Connie Britton.
“The Creative Coalition is pleased to lend our support in coordinating this campaign to empower citizens to play an active role in their government at all levels,” said Robin Bronk, Executive Director for The Creative Coalition.
Sunshine Week, which launched in 2005, is led by the American Society of Newspaper Editors, and is a national initiative that encourages dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Although led by print, broadcast and online journalists, the initiative includes participation by civic groups, non-profits, schools, libraries, scientists, celebrities and others.
The PSAs are being shot this afternoon at the Luxe Hotel on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles.
About The Creative Coalition
The Creative Coalition (www.thecreativecoalition.org) is the leading 501 c (3) nonprofit, nonpartisan social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating and mobilizing its members on issues of public importance, primarily public education, the First Amendment, arts advocacy, media literacy, destigmatizing mental illness and stemming runaway production. Headquartered in New York City, The Creative Coalition does not endorse or raise funds for political parties or candidates.
About Sunshine Week
Sunshine Week (www.sunshineweek.org) is a non-partisan open government initiative led by the American Society of Newspaper Editors, with online and broadcast media, public officials, celebrities, civic groups, non-profits, libraries, schools, religious leaders and others. The 2008 Sunshine Campaign is designed to spur campaign conversation — and commitment — to open government during this election year by encouraging journalists, and anyone else with the opportunity, to ask every candidate for public office from president to city council to explain his or her positions on open government and Freedom of Information issues. Sunshine Week is endowed through a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation (www.knightfdn.org) which invests in journalism excellence worldwide and the vitality of the 26 communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. It focuses on projects with the potential to create transformational change.
About the Radio-Television News Directors Association
RTNDA is the world’s largest professional organization devoted exclusively to electronic journalism. RTNDA represents local and network news executives in broadcasting, cable and other electronic media in more than 30 countries. RTNDF provides training, research and scholarship aid for professional and aspiring electronic journalists. For more information about RTNDA and RTNDF visitwww.rtnda.org.
About the American Society of Newspaper Editors
ASNE, founded in 1922, with about 700 members, is the main organization of the directing editors of daily newspapers in the Americas. The organization is leading efforts to protect First Amendment rights and enhance the free flow of information, to promote the newspaper’s role in providing information necessary to the informed practice of citizenship, to encourage innovation and celebrate creativity in newspapers and the new media environment, to drive the quest for diversity and inclusion in the workplace and news content, and to bolster media credibility and improve high school journalism.
About Luxe Hotel Sunset Boulevard
Upscale and elegant. Situated on seven breathtaking acres of beauty. Picturesque grounds, fine dining, Zen inspired day spa, and large spacious guestrooms. Indulge in the tranquility and the serenity of this chic urban unique retreat with a great location. www.luxehotelsunsetblvd.com
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CONTACT:
Tara Chantal Silver
(202) 466-1396
tara@westinrinehart.com