PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A New England consortium working to protect First Amendment rights and advance the public's right to know plans to recognize a journalist and a member of the public at its annual awards ceremony on Feb. 8.
The New England First Amendment Coalition is accepting applications through Jan. 7 for the Citizen Right to Know Award and the FOI Award, named after the federal Freedom of Information Act.
"NEFAC's board wanted to recognize the fact that every breakthrough in the fight against government obfuscation is not made by professional journalists," Rosanna Cavanagh, the group's executive director, said in a news release. "Often times, it's the outraged or frustrated citizen who just won't let go."
Cavanagh is the daughter-in-law of Joseph V. Cavanagh Jr., a civil litigator who frequently represents The Providence Journal and other media outlets on libel, public access and Freedom of Information matters.