SAN FRANCISCO – The Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists announces its 40th Annual James Madison Freedom of Information Awards, recognizing people and organizations who have made significant contributions to advancing freedom of information and expression in the spirit of James Madison, the creative force behind the First Amendment.
At a time when journalism is under threat, the Freedom of Information Committee is honoring three reporters with Golden Sledgehammer Awards.
The Golden Sledgehammer is awarded to those who stand up to abuses of government and institutional power while practicing journalism. It is given in the spirit of San Francisco journalist Bryan Carmody, whose home and office were raided in 2019 by police executing a wrongfully obtained search warrant with guns drawn. As Carmody was detained and handcuffed for six hours, police used a sledgehammer to break into his office and seize work product that was clearly protected by both the First Amendment and California’s Shield Law. Carmody challenged the unlawful raid, winning a financial settlement from the city and upholding the right of journalists to keep source identities and unpublished materials private.
This year, the committee is recognizing three individuals with this award.
Doni Chamberlain, A News Cafe
A Shasta County Board of Supervisors turned into a standoff between Sheriff’s deputies and journalists the night of Nov. 7, and culminated with a deputy using physical force to remove Doni Chamberlain, publisher of the Shasta news site A News Cafe. Chamberlain and other reporters were covering the arrest of a protesting citizen. Chamberlain asserted her First Amendment right to document the confrontation. After deputies escalated and threatened to arrest the reporters, Chamberlain alone stayed, documenting everything. The sole journalist remaining, she was grabbed and shoved by a deputy as he removed her from the room.
Chamberlain, a reporter with 30 years of experience, has been covering Shasta County under thankless conditions, weathering frequent death threats and menacing behavior, as well as two assaults while on the job. The Committee honors her tenacity and commitment to the public’s right to know about government proceedings in the face of government overreach.
Dilan Gohill, Stanford Daily
Stanford Daily reporter Dilan Gohill wins a Golden Sledgehammer Award for his reporting on a pro-Palestinian demonstration on campus on June 5, 2024. While engaged in constitutionally protected newsgathering, Gohill followed protesters into the office of the university president, where the protesters barricaded themselves. Despite wearing his student press credentials and a Stanford Daily sweatshirt, Gohill was arrested and jailed for 15 hours when police cleared the area. His reporting materials and laptop were seized despite California’s strong Shield Law protections. University officials backed Gohill’s prosecution and initiated disciplinary proceedings against him.
While Stanford dropped the disciplinary case in December without immediately informing Gohill, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen is still weighing whether a criminal case against him will proceed.
The Northern California Chapter of The Society of Professional Journalists continues to join other advocacy groups such as The Student Press Law Center and The First Amendment Coalition, as well as prominent Stanford alumni, in demanding that Rosen reject the criminal case against Gohill immediately. Read more about Gohill’s saga here.
Annelise Pierce, Shasta Scout
As publisher and managing editor of the Shasta Scout, Annelise Pierce has worked tirelessly to advance freedom of information in Shasta County and provide high-quality information to the public.
Pierce was among the reporters documenting the arrest of a protester at a Board meeting the night of Nov. 7, and has resisted efforts from officials to erode access to public meetings. Her reporting, live coverage, and collaboration with organizations like the First Amendment Coalition and legal counsel have helped challenge anti-transparency policies. When city officials moved to limit press access, Pierce’s coverage and pressure from the First Amendment Coalition likely prompted them to retract the policy. Her coverage has also brought critical attention to Shasta County’s practices and compelled the repeal of a public records ordinance assessing illegal fees, ultimately resulting in the release of public documents.
The James Madison Awards are hosted by SPJ NorCal’s Freedom of Information Committee.
