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The James Madison Freedom of Information Awards recognize Northern California organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of freedom of information and expression in the spirit of James Madison, the creative force behind the First Amendment.

The awards are presented at a ceremony in March during National Freedom of Information Week near the anniversary of Madison’s birth.  Eligible for nomination are Northern California journalists, citizens, media organizations, or community groups which, during 2009, have defended public access to meetings, public records, meetings or court proceedings or otherwise promoted the public’s right to know, publish and speak freely about issues of public concern.

Award Categories (awards may not be given in every category):
Professional Journalist, Nonprofit Organization, Source/Whistle Blower, Career Achievement, Citizen, Public Official, Educator, Cartoonist, Legal Counsel, Student Journalist, Electronic Access, News Media.

* The Professional Journalist and Student Journalist awards recognize journalists who have been involved in fights 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.

* The Norwin S. Yoffie Career Achievement Award is named in honor of a 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 freedom of information.

Deadline: Jan. 9, 2010

Apply here.

Questions: Please contact Mark Conrad or Rebecca Bowe at spjnorcalfoi@gmail.com.
Please include “James Madison Awards Question” in the subject line.

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Still, as an independent publication run by an all-volunteer staff, it remains a labor of love for the many people affiliated with Hyphen. Your support — whether through a tax-deductible donation or through spreading the word about us — is especially appreciated at a time when the entire journalism industry is searching for strategies to keep the publication of newspapers and magazines viable.

Back in 2002, when we were just getting Hyphen off the ground, I used to joke that we should’ve made an accompanying reality TV show to chronicle the drama, hilarity and hi-jinks that ensued in those early days. But we stuck it out and figured out a way to start a magazine from scratch with zero funds because we were driven by a common desire to see more diverse images and read more complex stories about Asian America.

After all these years, this desire for a broader and more nuanced documentation of American life is what continues to motivate my support for Hyphen. I hope you’ll join me in whatever way you can.

READ here.

DONATE here.

A big thanks to Hyphen’s fiscal sponsor, Independent Arts & Media!

And given the rapidly shifting media landscape, I’ll also be sure to put up a few things on promising industry innovations, many of which originate from the Bay Area. Check out Nina Martin’s article, “Newspapers are dead. Long live journalism!” on this very subject in a recent issue of San Francisco magazine. The piece references some of my favorite responses to the current media implosion, including Spot.Us and their “crowdfunding” approach, and the hyper-local sites Mission Loc@l and the soon-to-be-launched Oakland Local.

So thanks for reading and stay tuned…