Davis Receives National Press Club award

The National Press Club awarded Charles Davis, School of Journalism associate professor, with the John Aubuchon Freedom of the Press Award on Aug. 23.
The award is given annually to two people, one domestic and one international, according to a news release. The award honors “those who have contributed to the cause of freedom and open government.”
Since 2005, Davis had led the National Freedom of Information Coalition, but chose to step down this year due to time constraints.
“The NFOIC finally got the money to hire a full time leader and I couldn’t give up my life as a faculty member at the university,” Davis said. “I am thrilled about the advancement. This is a huge step for the NFOIC and couldn’t have happened without the immense support from the people at the Knight Foundation.”
The NFOIC has funded many open-government groups around the country throughout the past 21 years and continues its mission to protect the right to open government.
As a former reporter, Davis said he knows the importance of open government for the media.
“It levels the playing field between the government and the governed,” he said.
Davis decided to accept his appointment to the NFOIC when it moved to Missouri many years ago to continue his mission to serve his profession. He said reporters were being stonewalled by the government and not given proper access to certain materials and meetings. He specifically recalled a time when he was told to leave the room during a meeting, in essence so the real meeting could begin.
“Now, I don’t believe that we should reveal CIA leaders’ names but that leaves 99.995 percent of all government action that shouldn’t be kept secret,” Davis said. “The more unnecessary government secrecy we have, the worse government gets.”
The other recipient of the award was an Iranian man, Kouhyar Goudarzi, who was imprisoned for voicing his ideas about the Iranian elections in 2009. He was recently put into solitary confinement and might never see the outside world again.
National Press Club President Alan Bjerga said the two selections for the award serve as inspirations for all journalists.
“Humbling,” Davis said, regarding how he felt about receiving the award. “I feel it’s getting old to say so but it’s the best way to put it. What’s humbling is you share an award with (Goudarzi) and you’re reminded of what’s at stake.”
Davis was surprised to be chosen alongside Goudarzi.
“I feel like we should be honoring (Goudarzi) instead of me,” Davis said. “He is paying the ultimate price. It is a poignant reminder that the battle is never over.”