Ind. press association gives award to AG Zoeller

Associated Press

Updated: Feb 8, 2013 7:03 AM

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Hoosier State Press Association is giving its annual sunshine award to Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller for his work protecting First Amendment rights in a legal dispute over public records.

The South Bend Tribune nominated Zoeller for the award. Zoeller intervened in a lawsuit that would have blocked the newspaper from publishing an audiotape of a call to a Department of Child Services hotline reporting child abuse. The newspaper obtained the information from a public record.

Association Executive Director Steve Key says he commends Zoeller for his commitment to using his post to protect public access when his colleagues in state government wanted to restrict it.

The association presented Zoeller with the award this week during its annual legislative luncheon.

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