The First Amendment Foundation awarded the Pete Weitzel/Friend of the First Amendment Award to Craig Waters for his innovation and advocacy for access to court records. Waters’ use of the internet and video technology opened up the workings of the Florida Supreme Court to the public.
Waters established the Court’s initial website and shared court records online for the first time. He organized the statewide broadcast and livestreams of Supreme Court oral arguments. After the 2000 election, when the world’s attention was focused on Florida, Waters came up with a way to post the court’s decision online for all to see at the same time. Again in 2009, he charter new territory when he began disseminating the court’s news and information using social media.
FAF Executive Director, Pamela Marsh, explained that no one has done more to open up justice in Florida to the public than Craig. He dedicated his career to advocating for the public’s access to the judiciary.
Congrats, Craig! We are grateful for your service.
