Nominees for national First Amendment award due June 22

A national organization is accepting nominations for an award that honors people who work to protect First Amendment rights.

Each year, the Society of Professional Journalists awards somebody for their efforts with the Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment Award, and nominations for the 2012 honors are due June 22, according to a press release.

“Basically, we want to recognize some people who have gone above and beyond to protect our rights of freedom,” said Lauren Rochester, the society’s awards coordinator. “They don’t have to be journalists. It can be any person or people that protect our rights through writing and speaking.”

The winner will receive $10,000 cash, airfare and a two-night hotel stay to attend the SPJ national convention, according to the website.

Nominations are considered for two years and are examined by a selection committee, Rochester said. The committee typically chooses the winner in late July.

The SPJ’s Sigma Delta Chi Foundation president appoints the committee members. Each person on the committee actively works for freedom of information, Rochester said.

Nomination requirements include an entry form, three signed nomination letters and any supporting materials. For complete requirements, visit www.spj.org.

Jenna Bielman

Jenna is a former staff member of The Oklahoma Daily who worked as Campus Reporter and Campus Reporter.