The Freedom of Information Committee of the Society of Professional Journalists, Northern California Chapter presents its 31st Annual James Madison Sunshine and First Amendment Awards.

Contacts: FOI Committee Co-Chairs
Cherokee Melton – cmelton@thefirstamendment.org
Thomas Peele – Thomaspeele@thomaspeele.com

The James Madison Freedom of Information Awards recognize Northern California organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing freedom of information and/or expression in the spirit of James Madison, the creative force behind the First Amendment. SPJ NorCal presents the awards during National Freedom of Information Week near Madison’s birthday, March 16.

Eligible for nomination are individuals, such as journalists, lay citizens, public officials, attorneys, educators, librarians and students, as well as news outlets and other organizations that, during 2015, have defended public access to meetings, public records or court proceedings or otherwise promoted the public’s right to know, publish and speak freely about issues of public concern. SPJ NorCal will present the awards at a dinner on Thursday, March 10, at The City Club in San Francisco.

Award Categories (awards are not necessarily given in every category; also we accept suggestions for new categories):

Professional Journalist
Nonprofit Organization
Source/Whistle Blower
Career Achievement
Citizen
Public Official
Educator
Cartoonist
Legal Counsel
Student Journalist
Electronic Access
News Media

• Professional Journalist and Student Journalist awards recognize journalists who have fought for access to records, meetings or court proceedings, who have made exceptional use of public records in their reporting or who have promoted education on FOI issues through stories, editorials or other advocacy.

• The Public Official award is given to a governmental official who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to keeping public records or meetings public, or otherwise has taken exemplary leadership on FOI or First Amendment issues.

• The Beverly Kees Educator Award recognizes extraordinary efforts by educators to cultivate a devotion to the values of freedom of information and/or expression. It is named for the journalist, academician, FOI activist and former SPJ NorCal president who died in a vehicle-pedestrian accident in December 2004.

• The Norwin S. Yoffie Career Achievement Award is named in honor of a founder and stalwart supporter of the chapter’s Freedom of Information Committee, who died in November 2000 after many years of distinguished service to SPJ and the cause of sunshine.

Please visit the SPJ NorCal website for information about past award recipients.

Please go here to submit nominations. There is no contest entry fee. Entry deadline is Friday, Jan. 8, 2016.

For additional information, please see contact information above or contact the SPJ NorCal FOI Committee at spjnorcalfoi@gmail.com.