Each fall, the Valley of the Sun Chapter of SPJ presents its annual Arizona Freedom of Information Awards, honoring excellence in journalism and in open government in Arizona during the previous calendar year. Other awards are given for dedication and outstanding service in journalism, as well as for special recognition for efforts on behalf of the First Amendment.

Nominations are open NOW for this year’s awards, with the deadline set for 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. Self-nominations are welcome.

Award categories include:

• The First Amendment Awardsrecognize efforts that substantially relied on public records and open meetings to produce top quality journalism.
• The Order of the Silver Keyhonors journalists who have been in the profession for at least 25 years, a significant majority of which were in Arizona, who have conspicuously contributed to the journalism profession and have inspired fellow journalists.
• The Phil Alvidrez Award for Excellence in Journalismrecognizes the career of an Arizona journalist whose body of work has served to inspire fellow journalists, including a notable commitment to the cause of freedom of information.

There is NO COST to enter the awards contest. Award nomination forms can be downloaded from this website under the “Awards” tab. Application deadline is Friday, Aug. 7.