Contact: Jason Parsley, SPJ Florida past President
561-706-6646
Jeparsley@gmail.com
The Florida Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists recently launched the 22nd annual Sunshine State Awards. SPJ Florida continues its “First Amendment Foundation Freedom of Information Award.”
The award is named after the First Amendment Foundation in Tallahassee.
Previous winners include:
2015
WTSP-TV – Mike Deeson, Amy Marinec, Melissa Rancourt, Paul Thorson — PSTA Emails Show Lying
The Judges had this to say, “We can’t think of a better example of how the use of the FOIA and in-depth reporting can be used to hold a public agency accountable and force a series of actions for the good of the community. Great job.”
2014
Sarasota Herald-Tribune – Michael Braga & Anthony Cormier — Breaking the Banks
2013
WESH-TV – Greg Fox — TextGate
“Open government and public access to records is an essential part of a journalist’s job and we want to recognize those that take full advantage of Florida’s liberal laws regarding pubic records,” said SPJ Florida past President, Jason Parsley. “In addition we have partnered with FAF to spotlight the amazing work the organization does here in Florida.”
The award seeks to “honor a journalist or news organization for outstanding use of public records in reporting or advocacy of rights such as press freedom and public access.”
Visit www.SPJFlorida.com for more information on the awards. To learn more about the First Amendment Foundation visit www.FloridaFAF.org.