Freedom of Information Award 2008
Archived Pages
Press Release
Event Information
2008 Criteria
Nomination Form
Webcast info
The FOI 08 Award was featured in:
"Associated Press, Star Tribune reporters receive FOI honors"
Kxmc TV, the CBS affiliate in Minot, March 6, 2008
"Self Help Center recognized with Freedom of Information Award"
The Minnesota Judicial Branch News (which serves all 10 of Minnesota's District Courts) March 7, 2007
Martiga Lonn and Brian Bakst, Associated Press
Dan Browning, Kevin Diaz, Patrick Doyle, Mike Kaszuba, Tony Kennedy and Paul McEnroe, Star Tribune
By any measure, the collapse of the 35W Bridge is the story of 2007 - covered by every news medium from every journalistic angle. With this award the MnCOGI specifically notes the ways in which these journalists have enhanced public understanding of the tragedy through their explicit use of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Minnesota Data Practices Act to gain access to public information.
Honorable Mention
Susan Albright, former Editorial Page Editor at the Star Tribune
Albright, now with MinnPost, is recognized for her articulate appreciation of the dependence of a free press on access to government information and for her consistent editorial support of the principles of open government.
Susan Ledray and Katrina Zabinski, Coordinator of the “Self Help Center (SHC) in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District.
As designers of the SHC Ledray and Zabinski explicitly use government information to meet the needs of a targeted population. In the words of Judge Edward Lynch, the SHC “provides information, resources and assistance to thousands of litigants representing themselves in court proceedings.” The Self Help Center is now available in all Minnesota counties
