Entries are now open for the 2022 Brechner Center for Freedom of Information Award, recognizing excellence in news reporting across all media platforms that was aired or published during 2021. The $3,000 cash award seeks to reward journalism published by a U.S.-based news organization, or collaborative of organizations, that advances the public’s right to know.

The Award has been presented annually since 1986 by the Brechner Center at the University of Florida to reward excellence in reporting that draws on government documents and data, shedding light on official secrecy. The prize money is made possible by an endowment created by the Brechner family.

The deadline for entries is Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Stories or series of stories related to these topics and published in a general circulation (non-academic) news medium (print, online or broadcast) will meet contest eligibility.

Successful entrants will show how their reporting drew on documents and data to spotlight previously underappreciated issues, or otherwise used the power of transparency for the public’s benefit against untoward secrecy in powerful institutions.

There is no entry form. Entries (links or PDF files are acceptable, so long as the links will lead directly to the article without a login or subscription) may be submitted electronically to Kendall Moe at mailto:kmoe@ufl.edu or mailed to:

Brechner Center for Freedom of Information
3208 Weimer Hall
P.O. Box 118400
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-8400

Letters explaining the circumstances under which the entries were written and any results of the published stories are welcome.

Articles that have won the award in the past have appeared in Reuters, The Oregonian, Miami Herald, Washington Post, Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle, and Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Read more about the past winners.

Posted: February 9, 2022
Category: Brechner News
Tagged as: Brechner Center for Freedom of Information