WASHINGTON – Nominations are invited for inductees to the 2016 class of the National Freedom of Information Hall of Fame, which honors those who have made significant contributions to developing, protecting and expanding access to government information.
Nominations will be accepted through Jan. 23, 2016, and should be made by e-mail. Nominations should include a statement of qualifications and links to supporting information, data or reports; and must include the name, e-mail and telephone contact information the nomination.
Please send nominations to Gene Policinski, Chief Operating Officer, Newseum Institute, at gpolicinski@newseum.org. (202-292-6290 for inquiries) The nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee drawn the FOI community and from members of the Hall.
The new honorees will be announced during the 2016 National FOI Day Conference, on Friday, March 11 at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., which will also recognize the 50th anniversary of the FOIA.
The right to know about the actions of government is an important part of America’s democratic heritage. Journalists, advocacy groups, educators and researchers and individuals, along with legislators and federal administrators, have contributed to FOIA’s creation and implementation and are periodically are recognized in the Hall.
The Hall of Fame was created in 1996 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the federal Freedom of Information Act, and is maintained online by the Newseum Institute.
Following the charter class, a new group has been installed every five years.
A list of those in the Hall, and information about its purpose, can be found at: http://www.newseuminstitute.org/initiatives/national-freedom-of-information-hall-of-fame/