King, CNN anchor and Chief National Correspondent, is perhaps best known for his Election Night use of the network’s iconic “Magic Wall.” Beyond his reporting, he’s also a vocal advocate for press freedom and the importance of transparency and accountability in journalism. King frequently discusses the role journalism plays in a democracy and is candid about where newsrooms and media personalities can improve.

King joined CNN in May 1997 after 12 years at The Associated Press, the last six as its chief political correspondent. He has reported from all 50 states and more than 70 countries. His AP tenure included stints in Providence, R.I., and Boston. Raised in the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester, King earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from The University of Rhode Island.

Through extensive document gathering, data analysis, and old- fashioned beat reporting, The Boston Globe produced “State Secrets, ” a multi-part series last year that painted a troubling picture of how lax rules, secretive practices, and undemocratic habits make the Massachusetts Legislature a feast for special interests and a mystery to the general public it is sworn to serve.

The team of journalists — led by reporters Laura Crimaldi, Samantha Gross, Emma Platoff and Matt Stout — had to overcome significant obstacles. Despite these difficulties, the Globe’s reporting resulted in several ballot measures for the 2026 and 2028 elections that seek to address some of the issues the series exposed, including subjecting the Legislature to public records law and a measure to rein in leadership stipends — efforts, the organizers said, that were directly inspired by this series.

Ortolano has for years fought for information about Nashua, New Hampshire, and how those in government are making decisions on behalf of residents. She has been involved in more than 15 lawsuits against the city. These lawsuits resulted in the release of previously undisclosed records, the awarding of attorneys’ fees and costs, and a requirement that city employees undergo training about New Hampshire’s Right to Know Law.

Most recently, Ortolano filed two appeals as a pro se litigant in an effort to get information about the controversial Nashua Performing Arts Center construction. She not only demanded the city disclose the project’s final costs, but she publicly advocated for more transparency by attending government meetings and appearing in local media.

Revello is a frequent challenger of improper state Freedom of Information Act request denials, which she is often able to resolve without legal proceedings. Responding to continued pushback, however, she has pursued multiple appeals to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission. In one appeal, she challenged the incomplete record production of public universities which took more than two years to respond to her requests. Her appeal — one of several — helped clarify the interplay of federal and state transparency laws.

Revello recently lead an investigation titled “Religion and Redactions,” which examined transparency in Connecticut’s interstate prisoner compact participation. She also launched last year a biweekly series for Connecticut Inside Investigator. Transparency Update provides a behind-the-curtain look at how her newsroom is working to overcome barriers to transparency and potential violations of First Amendment rights.