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FOI Oklahoma elects new officers, solicits award nomineesJan 25, 2013 (Tulsa World - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- OKLAHOMA CITY -- Charles Self, a professor at the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma, is the new president of FOI Oklahoma Inc. During its meeting Sunday in Oklahoma City, the organization also elected Ziva Branstetter, enterprise editor of the Tulsa World, as president-elect. FOI Oklahoma is a statewide nonprofit organization that was founded in 1990 to educate the public on the First Amendment and issues involving openness in government. Other officers elected Karen Holp, general manager of KGOU radio in Norman, as treasurer and Kay Bois, of the Oklahoma Library Association, as secretary. Self succeeds Lindel Hutson, retired Associated Press Oklahoma Bureau chief, as president. FOI also announced that nominations are being accepted until Feb. 21 for its annual awards. The Ben Blackstock Award is presented to a nongovernmental person or organization that has shown a commitment to freedom of information. The Sunshine Award goes to a public official or governmental body that has shown a commitment to open meetings and open records. FOI Oklahoma also recognizes an Oklahoman who has promoted education about or protection of the individual rights guaranteed by the First Amendment with its Marian Opala First Amendment Award, named for the late Oklahoma Supreme Court justice. A Black Hole Award highlights the most obvious and visible violations of the public's right to know. Nominations must include a letter of no more than 250 words justifying why the person or organization is deserving of the award. Nominations may be made via email to [email protected] or mailed to FOI Awards, P.O. Box 5315, Edmond, OK 73083-5315. The awards will be presented during the Sunshine Week conference March 9 in Oklahoma City. The local conference is in conjunction with national Sunshine Week. This is the sixth year for the awards. ___ (c)2013 Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) Visit Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) at www.tulsaworld.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |