The Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, a nonprofit group that works to protect access to public meetings and records, is now accepting nominations for its annual Openness in Government Awards, or Opees. The Wisconsin Newspaper Association is a founding member of the council.
Awards are given in six categories:
Popee (political openness award): Recognizes extraordinary service to the cause of open government by an elected or appointed official, agency, or group of officials.
Mopee (media openness award): Recognizes extraordinary service to the cause of open government by a media member or organization.
Copee (citizen openness award): Recognizes extraordinary service to the cause of open government by a member of the public or public group.
Scoopee (open records scoop of the year): For a journalist or media organization who (which) has used public records to highlight an issue or expose wrongdoing.
Nopee (no friend of openness): For an individual or institution who (which) has disregarded or denigrated the state’s traditions of openness.
Whistleblower of the year: Recognizes an individual who has come forward to help expose wrongdoing.
Please submit nominations with any supporting documentation by Friday, Feb. 15, to blueders@gmail.com. The winners will be selected by a Council committee, as in past years. The Council reserves the right to issue special awards or to not give an award in a particular category.
The awards will be announced just prior to national Sunshine Week, March 11-18, and presented at the annual Watchdog Awards Dinner in Madison on Thursday, April 19.
Past winners:
