WBA Newsroom
The Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that works to protect access to public meetings and records, is now accepting nominations for its annual Openness in Government Awards, or Opees. Awards are given in six categories:
Popee (public openness award): Recognizes extraordinary service to the cause of open government by an elected or appointed official, agency, or group of officials.
Mopee (media openness award): Recognizes extraordinary service to the cause of open government by a media member or organization.
Copee (citizen openness award): Recognizes extraordinary service to the cause of open government by a member of the public or public group.
Scoopee (open records scoop of the year): For a journalist or media organization who (which) has used public records to highlight an issue or expose wrongdoing.
Whoopee (Whistleblower of the year): Recognizes an individual or group who (which) has come forward to help expose wrongdoing.
Nopee (no friend of openness): For an individual or institution who (which) has disregarded or denigrated the state’s traditions of openness.
Please submit nominations, along with any supporting documentation, by Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, to blueders@gmail.com. The winners will be selected by a Council committee, as in past years. The Council reserves the right to issue special awards or to not give an award in a particular category.
The winners will be announced sometime the week before National Sunshine Week, which this year is March 15-21. There may be an event that week to which they are invited.
Past winners: