Sunday, March 16, marks the kickoff for the fourth annual Sunshine Week, a national initiative in which journalism organizations promote open government and freedom of information. To mark the occasion, The Associated Press is offering a national look at the growing use of e-mail and text messages by elected officials, and the extent to which these communications are -- or should be -- accessible to the public.

SUNSHINE WEEK-ELECTRONIC RECORDS

TRENTON, N.J. -- In New Jersey, the governor's e-mails might shed light on whether he inappropriately conferred with a labor leader he once dated. In Detroit, the mayor's electronic messages revealed a sexually charged scandal. In California, a fight rages for access to e-mails sent by a city councilwoman about a controversial biological lab. While e-mail and text messaging has become a hugely popular way to communicate throughout society, governments at all levels are often unwilling to let the public see the e-mails of their elected officials. By Tom Hester.

With:

-- SUNSHINE WEEK-GOVERNORS' E-MAILS: A look at what happened to AP requests for gubernatorial e-mail in five states.

-- SUNSHINE WEEK-GLANCE: Some notable cases involving access to officials' electronic communications.

Also:

SUNSHINE WEEK-SUBPOENAING REPORTERS

WASHINGTON -- As more federal judges order reporters to divulge their confidential sources, news organizations are pinning their hopes on Congress passing a media shield law that the Bush administration opposes as a threat to national security. By Hope Yen.

SUNSHINE WEEK-Q&A: In question-and-answer form, AP President and CEO Tom Curley addresses recent developments regarding freedom of information and media access.