8/12/2019 League of Women Voters California First Amendment Coalition Beacon Award - Freelance Reporter Stephen James

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League of Women Voters

North Orange

County

www.lwvnoc.org

Nov.-Dec. 2005

714-254-7440

P.O. Box 3073

Fullerton, CA 92834

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informedand active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of public policy issues,

and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership is open to men and women of voting age.

http://www.lwvnoc.org/

8/12/2019 League of Women Voters California First Amendment Coalition Beacon Award - Freelance Reporter Stephen James

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www.lwvnoc.org

LWVNOC VOT R Nov.-Dec. 2005 6

Power to the PeopleUnlocking Government for the Public and Press & the blogs

10thAnnual Open Government Assembly Held at CSUF, October 14-15

H

ow more up-to-the-

minute news wise can

a Leaguer be? On Sat-

urday, I was present to watch

journalist Judith Miller present

the California First Amend-

ment Coalitions special award

honoring Mark Felt (aka Deep

Throat) to his grandson, Nick

Jones, at which time Nick re-

marked, My grandfather defied

the greatest power on earth to

protect freedom. Then the fol-

lowing morning, I watched the

panel on This Week with George

Stephanopoulos analyze the fall-

out over the 85 day incarcera-

tion of this same Judith Miller

for refusing to break her confi-

dentiality pledge to her source

in the White House, I.L.

Scooter Libby.

The workshop Fundamentals

of California Access Law cov-ered mainly the Brown Act,

which Leaguers know very well,

the CA Public Records Act

and the access to court actions.

These very important avenues

of access protect citizens right

to know.

Next, Does your community

need a Sunshine Ordinance?

panel members described the

ordinances of San Francisco andOakland and Riverside Countys

charter amendment. (LWV Riv-

erside was very actively in-

volved here.) All contain closed

session rules, ease public access

to public records, and provide

an ombudsman to counsel citi-

zens in implementing their

rights.

The address by Dan Gillmor, an

expert regarding grassroots me-

dia journalism, was over my

head. However, those of you,

who regard your computer as a

friendly force, not the menacing

one I do, check out grass-

r o o t s @ g i l l m o r . c o m o r

bayosphere.com/blog/dangillmor

Im sure it will be an edifying

experience.

Another panel discussion,

Protecting confidential sourcesconsidered the natural tension

between reporters and prosecu-

tors. Both sides have democratic

appeal and a moral mission.

One panelist emphasized that

shield laws protect reporters but

its equally important to protect

the process. Many feel the Free-

dom of Information Act is being

eroded by the homeland security

exemption.The awards bestowed during

the CFAC Awards Ceremony

speak for themselves. Leading

off was the special award to

Mark Felt.

Seven Beacon Awardsrec-

ognize those who exemplify the

spirit of First Amendment free-

doms:

Roger Diamond, an attorney

representing the Blue Zebra

strip club, for forcing the L.A

City Council to behave. (His

video showed the members be

ing supremely inattentive.)

Stephen James, a freelance

reporter, for winning the first

court case using Proposition 59

to obtain government records.

Da v id Go l dste in , a

KCAL/KCBS reporter, for dog

ged pursuit of driving records ofMTA bus drivers. (Several had

DWIs)

Karlene Gollier, counsel to

the L.A. Times, for being the

consummate reporters lawyer.

HEAL THE BAY and its

founder, Dorothy Green, for use

of public records to force the

cleanup of Santa Monica Bay.

Three San Mateo County

public officialsfor their effortsto limit secrecy surrounding ju

venile dependency hearings.

The Press-Enterprise for its

strong and articulate editorial

voice in favor of government

openness.

The Darkness Award, be

stowed on those who show a bla

tant disdain for the principles of

open government, to the Cali-

fornia Department of Cor-rections, and its director, for

the agencys long-standing and

near-impenetrable culture of

secrecy.

BYBETTEFRAZIER

LWVNOCOBSERVER

LAHABRACITYCOUNCILMEETINGS

One panelistemphasized

that shield laws

protect reporters

but its equally

important to

protect the process.

mailto:roots@gillmor.comhttp://www.lwvnoc.org/