FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org
Award-winning journalist and co-anchor of WCVB-Boston‘s NewsCenter 5, Ed Harding will emcee the 2018 New England First Amendment Awards luncheon on Feb. 23.
The New England First Amendment Coalition’s eighth annual awards luncheon, from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel, will honor individuals who have advocated for the First Amendment and the public’s right to know.
NEW ENGLAND FIRST AMENDMENT AWARDS February 23, 2018 | 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. | Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel
Jane Mayer of The New Yorker will receive the Stephen Hamblett First Amendment Award, given annually to an individual who has promoted, defended or advocated for the First Amendment throughout his or her career.
NEFAC will also present the Michael Donoghue Freedom of Information Award and the Antonia Orfield Citizenship Award.
The FOI Award is given each year to a New England journalist or team of journalists for a body of work from the previous calendar year that protects or advances the public’s right to know under federal or state law.
The Citizenship Award is given to an individual from one of the six New England states who has fought for information crucial to the public’s understanding of its community or what its government is doing – or not doing – on its behalf.
Harding has been a member of NewsCenter 5 for more than 25 years. He joined WCVB in 1988 as weekend sports anchor and reporter. He took over as co-anchor of the EyeOpener newscast in 2000.
Harding is the recipient of numerous awards including two Boston/New England Emmy awards for best Anchor-News and a first place Massachusetts Broadcasters Association Sound Bites award for On-Air Personality, among others.
Before joining WCVB, Harding was sports director and principal sports anchor for WISH-TV, the CBS affiliate in Indianapolis. While in the Midwest, Harding won two Indiana Associated Press awards and was named Best TV Sportscaster by Indianapolis Magazine.
The New England First Amendment Awards luncheon is part of the New England Newspaper & Press Association‘s winter convention. Sponsors, table hosts and other supporters include WBUR, WCVB, The Boston Globe, Boston University, Boston 25 News, Northeastern University, University of New Hampshire, Roger Williams University, Prince Lobel Tye LLP and Saint Michael’s College.
More information can be found here. Tickets can be purchased here. Organizations interested in purchasing a table with preferred seating should email NEFAC’s executive director, Justin Silverman, at justin@nefac.org.
NEFAC was formed in 2006 to advance and protect the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment, including the principle of the public’s right to know. We’re a broad-based organization of people who believe in the power of an informed democratic society. Our members include lawyers, journalists, historians, academics and private citizens.
Our coalition is funded through contributions made by those who value the First Amendment and who strive to keep government accountable. Please make a donation here.
Major Supporters of NEFAC include the Barr Foundation, The Providence Journal Charitable Legacy Fund, The Robertson Foundation, Lois Howe McClure, The Boston Globe and Boston University. Celebration Supporters include The Hartford Courant and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.