WASHINGTON, March 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The National Press Club's Press Freedom Committee has a full slate of activities planned for Sunshine Week, a national initiative to promote a dialogue on the importance of open government and freedom of information. This non-partisan, non-profit initiative is celebrated in mid-March each year to coincide with James Madison's birthday on March 16.

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On Tuesday, March 12, the Press Freedom Committee hosts a moderated panel discussion on how laws enacted globally after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks are being used to crush press freedom. (6:30-8pm in the conference rooms; free and open to the public). RSVP here.

On Wednesday, March 13, the Press Freedom Committee joins the D.C. Open Government Coalition in cosponsoring a "D.C. Open Government Summit," a panel discussion on the state of government transparency in the nation's capital. (6-8:30pm; Holeman Lounge; free and open to public; RSVP here.

On Thursday, March 14, the Club's Press Freedom Committee and the Professional Development Committee of the National Journalism Institute are joining forces to present a panel on practical help in using the Freedom of Information Act. (6:30-8pm, Zenger Room; admission free for NPC members, $10 for others; RSVP here.

And on Friday, March 15, the Club's luncheon speaker is Thomas Drake, a former National Security Agency official who was charged under the espionage act after he blew the whistle on waste and fraud and illegal activity at the intelligence agency. Click here for tickets.

SOURCE National Press Club