Join The Watershed Observer @ Sunshine Fest 2026 in DC
So if you meet me, have some courtesy
The Watershed Observer will be participating in Sunshine Fest 2026, the second annual in-person conference held in recognition of Sunshine Week and dedicated to strengthening freedom of information across local, state, federal, and global contexts. Full conference details, schedule, and speaker information are available via the official Sunshine Fest pages:
Preview: https://sunshineweek.org/sunshine-fest-preview/
Speakers: https://sunshineweek.org/sunshine-fest-2026-speakers/
Registration for the event can be completed here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunshine-fest-2026-tickets-1962439145311
Editor Will Fries will participate in a panel titled “Criminalizing FOI”, scheduled for Tuesday morning at 10:45 a.m. The session will focus on public records requesters who have experienced retaliation for seeking access to government information. Discussion will include apparent government retaliation against First Amendment–protected activities on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in the context of investigating corruption and ethics violations
The panel will be moderated by Kirstin McCudden, Chief of Editorial for the Freedom of the Press Foundation, who oversees the organization’s editorial strategy and standards, managing the editing, audience, and U.S. Press Freedom Tracker reporting teams.
Panelists include:
Elouise McDaniel, a retired school teacher who gained national media attention when she was labeled a “vexatious” requester and sued by the town of Irvington, New Jersey.
Haruna Mohammed Salisu of WikkiTimes (Nigeria), who has endured multiple threats, including death threats, and nine SLAPP-style lawsuits in the course of seeking government information.
Will Fries, who was served with a “peace order” (later dismissed by a judge) coordinated by the City of Salisbury, Maryland, attempting to bar him from city hall because of his public records requests and reporting on ethics, corruption, and First Amendment concerns. Fries has extensive experience with public records, having worked both as a journalist seeking access and within public agencies managing responses.
Sunshine Fest brings together journalists, records custodians, policymakers, academics, civil society organizations, and transparency advocates to identify practical solutions for improving public access to information. The 2026 conference coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Freedom of Information Act, offering an opportunity to reflect on both its legacy and its future.
Participation in Sunshine Fest reflects The Watershed Observer’s ongoing commitment to open government, accountability, and the public’s right to information. Additional coverage and related resources will be shared as the conference approaches.