Finnegan Freedom of Information (FOI) Award
Established in 1989, the John R. Finnegan Freedom of Information award is given to those individuals and groups who demonstrate through expression and action commitment to the idea that a popular and democratic government can never realize the aspirations of the founding fathers without the participation of an informed electorate. An informed electorate cannot exist without access to information.
John R. Finnegan Sr., for whom the award is named, is one of the state's strongest advocates for public access to government information and the public right to know. His work on the part of the public’s right to know prepares an informed electorate to actively participate in a democratic society, to judge how a democratic government is functioning, and to determine whether duly elected officials have met their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the representative nature of our republic. Finnegan is retired editor of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, a member of the National Freedom of Information Act Hall of Fame and recently received the Heroes of the 50 States: The State Open Government Hall of Fame award for 2011 from the National Freedom of Information Coalition (NFOIC) and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).
Each year, the Minnesota Coalition of Government Information (MnCOGI) presents the John R. Finnegan Freedom of Information Award to honor a Minnesotan or Minnesota institution whose work demonstrates leadership and commitment to the power of information to effect change. Their activities are diverse and may include: using technology and other means to facilitate access to information; advocating for legislative and other policies that maximize the public's right to know; educating the public on the importance of freedom of information; assuring that government and other institutions comply with policies that maximize transparency; operating libraries and other institutions in a manner that affords the greatest possible access to information; challenging any form of authority that would thwart the objective of assuring the existence of an informed electorate; and linking the idea of freedom of information to the Bill of Rights and especially to the First Amendment.
The 2012 FOI Award nomination form is now available for download. Nomination forms should be emailed to MnCOGI by FEBRUARY 24, 2012.
Past Finnegan FOI Award Winners
2011 | Don Shelby, former WCCO-TV Anchor and MinnPost Columnist Don Betzold, Minnesota State Senator | |
2010 | Reed Anfinson, Publisher, Swift County Monitor | press
release |
2009 | Richard (Rich) Neumeister, citizen lobbyist and relentless advocate for the public’s interest | press
release |
2008 | Martiga
Lonn and Brian Bakst, Associated Press | |
2007 | Gary Hill, long-time journalist | |
2006 | Colleen Coghlan, Librarian and Professor | |
2005 | Donald A. Gemberling, of the Minnesota Data Practices Act | press
release remarks from Kit Hadley |
2004 | Marvin Roger Anderson, Director, Minnesota State Law Library | |
2003 | Senator Mark Dayton | photos of presentation and award |
2001 | ||
2000 | Marilyn Cathcart, Director, Minnesota Legislative Reference Library | |
1999 | Mary Treacy, Director, Metronet | |
1998 | MIGIZI Communications | |
1997 | Access Minnesota | |
1996 | The North Star Project, State of Minnesota | |
1995 | Minnesota Legislature Gopher Design Group | |
1994 | The Urban Coalition of Minneapolis | |
1993 | Julia Wallace, Regional Depository Librarian and Head of Government Publications, University of Minnesota | |
1992 | Alan Robinette (posthumously awarded), Director, Land Management Information Center, State of Minnesota | |
1991 | Peter S. Popovich, Chief Justice, Minnesota Supreme Court | |
1990 | Sue Holbert, Minnesota State Archivist | |
1989 | Mary Alice Harvey, Director, Grand Marais Public Library |
