The California First Amendment Coalition and the California Society of Newspaper Editors are soliciting nominations for the 2008 Bill Farr Award for furthering the principles of free speech, free press and public access to government.
In addition, CFAC is seeking nominations for its annual Beacon awards, presented to those who have fought to keep government open, and for its annual Darkness award to those who have resisted the public’s right to know.
The Awards
The Bill Farr Award is given each year to an individual or group who has performed exemplary work to advance free speech, free press and public access to government.
The award is given in honor of former Los Angeles Herald Examiner Reporter Bill Farr, who went to jail in 1971 after refusing to reveal sources of information in the infamous Charles Manson Case.
Qualifications for the award are accomplishment, service or other contributions to “the people’s right to know” in California. The winner will be an individual or institution whose actions deserve public honor and emulation. Areas vital in the struggle for open government include access to public meetings, public records and courts; defense of citizens’ right to freedom of speech; defense of journalists’ rights; and defense of the right to “blow the whistle” and alert the public to matters of common concern.
Last year’s award went posthumously to Chauncey Bailey, editor of the Oakland Post.
Beacon awards are given to other individuals or organizations who have fought to keep government meetings or records open to the public and by supporting the First Amendment’s fundamental right of free speech. Generally, the awards will be given for achievement in 2007-2008, but longer-term achievement also can be recognized.
Previous awards have been given to journalists, civic activists, organizations, attorneys, and government officials who have gone above and beyond the norm to assure government transparency and free speech/free press.
Last year’s recipients included state Sen. Gloria Romero and Assemblyman Mark Leno for efforts to reopen the hearings and records of civilian review boards that consider discipline of peace officers; Associated Press National Writer Martha Mendoza for significant coverage relying heavily on public records and freedom of information laws; and Santa Cruz County resident Bob Suhr for use of the California Public Records Act to unearth the untold truth about the cost of public employee retirement and health benefits in the county.
The Darkness award is reserved for individuals, government agencies or other institutions that have acted to thwart free speech, public participation in government or access to meetings or public records. Past recipients have included Ron Burkle, for attempts to make divorce records secret, and the state Department of Corrections for continued resistance to reporter access to prisoners.
How to submit
Send nominations by e-mail to awards@CFAC.org, by regular mail to AWARDS, c/o the California First Amendment Coalition, 534 Fourth St., Suite B, San Rafael, CA 94901.
Deadline
Nominations are due Sept. 1, 2008.
Presentation
The awards will be presented at CFAC’s annual Free Speech and Open Government Assembly at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism Oct. 17 & 18.