Central Ohio SPJ Chapter Awards

Chapter awards and winners

For decades, the Central Ohio SPJ chapter has honored service to journalism and the Society with three annual awards: The First Amendment Award, Distinguished Service Award and the Appreciation Award. Also, in 2001, the chapter’s board voted to add a fourth award – the Brick Wall Award – as a “dishonor” to call attention to public officials who improperly block access to public records or proceedings.

Past winners of these awards are listed below, although chapter records are incomplete. (If you can help fill in the blanks, let us know.)

FIRST AMENDMENT AWARD
This award recognizes significant contributions to the First Amendment rights of freedom of expression. Individuals and organizations both inside and outside of journalism are eligible. (List of Winners)

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
This award is for a member of the chapter who demonstrates professional excellence and dedication to the Central Ohio Society of Professional Journalists. (List of Winners)

APPRECIATION AWARD
This award is presented to individuals or organizations for their outstanding contributions to journalism in central Ohio. (List of Winners)

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Once overseen by SPJ National and now given out by the Central Ohio Chapter, this award honors individuals who have demonstrated a lifetime contribution to the journalism profession.

BRICK WALL AWARD
Started in 2001, this dubious distinction is presented to the individual or organization that, according to chapter members, did the most to block citizen access to public records and proceedings or otherwise violated the spirit of the First Amendment or the Ohio Open Records and Open Meetings laws during the past year. Anyone is eligible, but special consideration will be given to public officials and tax-funded agencies that fail to follow the law. (List of Winners)

THE MARTYS
Started in 2011, The Martys is an editorial contest for Central Ohio’s high school journalists presented by the Central Ohio Society of Professional Journalists and sponsored by the Dispatch Media Group. It is named after and conducted to honor the late Martin L. Rozenman, longtime editor of Suburban News Publications, Columbus Dispatch reporter, and board member of Central Ohio SPJ. Winners are chosen in five categories – best feature, news, opinion and sports writing and photography. From among the five category winners, an overall Best of Show winner is chosen as the top award winner, The Marty. That student is honored at Central Ohio SPJ’s annual spring Founders’ Day banquet. (Contest Info & List of Winners)